Editing Tourism in Italy

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[[File:Colosseo 2020.jpg|thumb|The [[Colosseum]] in Rome, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world]]
[[File:Canal Grande Chiesa della Salute e Dogana dal ponte dell Accademia.jpg|right|thumb|The city of [[Venice]], ranked many times as the most beautiful city in the world<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |url=http://www.themeshnews.com/top-10-most-beautiful-cities-in-the-world-2016/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729210911/http://www.themeshnews.com/top-10-most-beautiful-cities-in-the-world-2016/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 July 2016 |title=Top&nbsp;10 most Beautiful Cities in the World 2017 |date=28 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite web |url=https://worldchacha.com/most-beautiful-cities-capital-in-the-world/10/|title=Top&nbsp;10 most Beautiful Cities in the World 2018 |date= 2 September 2018}}</ref>]]
[[File:View of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.jpg|thumb|The [[Santa Maria del Fiore]] cathedral in [[Florence]] by [[Filippo Brunelleschi]], which has the largest brick dome in the world,<ref name="www.tripleman.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.tripleman.com/index.php?showimage=737 |title=The Duomo of Florence &#124; Tripleman |publisher=www.tripleman.com |access-date=2010-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206202243/http://www.tripleman.com/index.php?showimage=737 |archive-date=2009-12-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brunelleschisdome.com/ |title=brunelleschi's dome - Brunelleschi's Dome |publisher=Brunelleschisdome.com |access-date=2010-03-25| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100416043408/http://www.brunelleschisdome.com/| archive-date= 16 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status = live}}</ref> and is considered a masterpiece of world architecture]]
[[File:Matera boenisch nov 2005.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Sassi di Matera]] have been described by [[Fodor's]] as "one of the most unique landscapes in Europe".<ref>''[https://books.google.com/books?id=DdaXX0IyFKUC&q=matera+%22one+of+the+most+unique+landscapes+in+Europe%22%22&pg=PT195 Fodor's Southern Italy]'', Fodor's Travel, 22 March 2011</ref>]]
[[File:Milan Cathedral from Piazza del Duomo.jpg|thumb|[[Milan Cathedral]] is a busy tourist spot in Milan. It is the [[List of largest churches|world's 3rd biggest cathedral]] and took over five centuries to complete.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/italy/milan/25103/duomo/attraction-detail.html | work=The New York Times | title=Milan Attractions | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604103907/http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/italy/milan/25103/duomo/attraction-detail.html | archive-date=4 June 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>]]
[[File:Amalfi Coast (Italy, October 2020) - 75 (50558355441).jpg|thumb|The [[Amalfi Coast]] seen from [[Ravello]], [[Campania]], one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy]]
'''Tourism in Italy''' is one of the largest [[Economy of Italy|economic sectors of the country]]. With 60 million [[tourist]]s per year (2023), [[Italy]] is the [[World Tourism rankings|fourth most visited country]] in [[international tourism]] arrivals. According to 2018 estimates by the [[Bank of Italy]], the tourism sector directly generates more than five per cent of the national [[GDP]] (13 per cent when also considering the indirectly generated GDP) and represents over six per cent of the employed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bancaditalia.it/pubblicazioni/collana-seminari-convegni/2018-0023/Petrella_11dic.pdf|title = The weight of tourism in Italy, the characteristics of the demand and the accommodation capacity|time=Bank of Italy|date =11 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|doi=10.18111/9789284416899|title = UNWTO Tourism Highlights, 2015 Edition|year = 2015|isbn = 9789284416899}}</ref>

People have visited Italy for centuries, yet the first to visit the peninsula for tourist reasons were aristocrats during the [[Grand Tour]], beginning in the 17th century, and flourishing in the 18th and 19th centuries.<ref name="grand-tour"/> This was a period in which European aristocrats, many of whom were British and French, visited parts of Europe, with Italy as a key destination.<ref name="grand-tour"/> For Italy, this was in order to study ancient architecture, local culture and to admire the natural beauties.<ref name="getty"/>

Nowadays the factors of tourist interest in Italy are mainly [[Culture of Italy|culture]], [[Italian cuisine|cuisine]], [[History of Italy|history]], [[Italian fashion|fashion]], [[Architecture of Italy|architecture]], [[Italian art|art]], religious sites and routes, naturalistic beauties, nightlife, underwater sites and spas. Winter and summer tourism are present in many locations in the [[Alps]] and the [[Apennines]],<ref name="alloggitaly">{{cite web|url=https://www.alloggitaly.it/vacanze-in-montagna-in-italia/|title=VACANZE IN MONTAGNA IN ITALIA: IN INVERNO E IN ESTATE|date=30 July 2017 |access-date=1 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> while seaside tourism is widespread in coastal locations along the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref name="turismo-oggi">{{cite web|url=https://www.turismo-oggi.com/il-turismo-balneare.html|title=Il turismo balneare|date=14 February 2018 |access-date=1 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> Small, historical and artistic Italian villages are promoted through the association ''[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia]]'' (literally "The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy"). Italy is among the countries most visited in the world by tourists during the [[Christmas and holiday season|Christmas holidays]].<ref name="turismo-natale"/> [[Rome]] is the 3rd most visited city in Europe and the 12th in the world, with 9.4&nbsp;million arrivals in 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/ranking-the-30-most-visited-cities-in-the-world.html|title=Ranking the 30 Most-Visited Cities in the World|website=TravelPulse|access-date=16 April 2022|archive-date=11 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711220721/https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/ranking-the-30-most-visited-cities-in-the-world.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> while [[Milan]] is the 5th most visited city in Europe and the 16th in the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/cronaca/turismo-milano-e-la-seconda-citta-italiana-cercata-dai-vacanzieri-dopo-la-capitale-awvcm5wz|title=Milano è la seconda città più amata dai turisti in Italia dopo la capitale|access-date=1 December 2023|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.mastercard.com/eu/it/press-releases/global-destination-cities-index-2019-di-mastercard-aumentano-i-turisti-che-scelgono-litalia/|title=Global Destination Cities Index 2019 di Mastercard: aumentano i turisti che scelgono l'Italia|access-date=26 March 2020|language=it|archive-date=6 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106101342/https://newsroom.mastercard.com/eu/it/press-releases/global-destination-cities-index-2019-di-mastercard-aumentano-i-turisti-che-scelgono-litalia/|url-status=dead}}</ref> with 8.81&nbsp;million tourists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsroom.mastercard.com/press-releases/big-cities-big-business-bangkok-london-and-paris-lead-the-way-in-mastercards-2018-global-destination-cities-index/|title=Global Destination Cities Index by Mastercard, 2018 edition|access-date=28 April 2019|archive-date=28 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928121613/https://newsroom.mastercard.com/press-releases/big-cities-big-business-bangkok-london-and-paris-lead-the-way-in-mastercards-2018-global-destination-cities-index/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, [[Venice]] and [[Florence]] are also among the world's top 100 destinations. Italy is also the [[World Heritage Sites by country|country with the highest number]] of [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]] in the world (60).<ref name=convention>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/convention/ |title=The World Heritage Convention |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=1 August 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827065310/https://whc.unesco.org/en/convention/ |archive-date=27 August 2016}}</ref> Out of Italy's 60 heritage sites, [[List of World Heritage Sites in Italy|54 are cultural and 6 are natural]].<ref name="italy"/>

The [[Roman Empire]], [[Italy in the Middle Ages|Middle Ages]], [[Italian Renaissance|Renaissance]] and the following centuries of the [[history of Italy]] have left many cultural artefacts that attract tourists.<ref name="studiare">{{cite web|url=https://www.studiare-in-italia.it/php5/study-italy.php?idorizz=6&idvert=84|title=Viaggiare in Italia: giro turistico|access-date=31 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> In general, the Italian [[cultural heritage]] is the largest in the world since it consists of 60 to 75 percent of all the artistic assets that exist on each continent,<ref name="fattoquotidiano">{{cite web|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2018/06/17/il-museo-italia-siamo-primi-al-mondo-per-patrimonio-ma-sappiamo-valorizzarlo-i/4427096/|title=Il museo Italia. Siamo primi al mondo per patrimonio ma sappiamo valorizzarlo?|date=17 June 2018 |access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> with over 4,000 museums, 6,000 archaeological sites, 85,000 historic churches and 40,000 historic palaces, all subject to protection by the [[Ministry of Culture (Italy)|Italian Ministry of Culture]].<ref name="risparmiamocelo">{{cite web|url=https://www.risparmiamocelo.it/quanto-vale-il-patrimonio-culturale-e-ambientale-italiano/|title=L'Italia possiede un patrimonio culturale e ambientale unico al mondo.|date=10 October 2017 |access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> As of 2018, the Italian places of culture (which include museums, attractions, parks, archives and libraries) amounted to {{FORMATNUM: 6610}}. Italy is the leading cruise tourism destination in the Mediterranean Sea.<ref name="lagenziadiviaggi"/>

In Italy, there is a broad variety of hotels, going from 1-5 stars. According to [[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]], in 2017, there were 32,988 hotels with 1,133,452 rooms and 2,239,446 beds.<ref name="hotel"/> As for non-hotel facilities (campsites, tourist villages, accommodations for rent, agritourism, etc.), in 2017 their number was 171,915 with 2,798,352 beds.<ref name="hotel"/> The tourist flow to coastal resorts is 53 percent; the best equipped cities are [[Grosseto]] for [[Agriturismo|farmhouses]] (217), [[Vieste]] for campsites and tourist villages (84) and [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]] mountain huts (20).<ref name="repubblica">{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2019/03/21/news/turismo_91_viaggiatori_soddisfatti_mete_culturali_italia-222188141/|title=Turismo: 91% viaggiatori soddisfatti mete culturali Italia|website=Repubblica.it|date=21 March 2019|accessdate=26 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="movimento">{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/files//2019/07/infograficaIT.pdf|title=Turismo in Italia nel 2018 – Movimento dei clienti e capacità degli esercizi ricettivi|work=istat.it|access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Overlooking Capri harbour from the rotunda in Villa San Michele Anacapri 2013.jpg|thumb|Islands such as [[Capri]] became popular in the late 14th century and first decade of the 19th century.]]
[[File:Forum in Pompeii 2.jpg|thumb|The [[Forum (Roman)|Forum]] of [[Pompeii]] with [[Vesuvius]] in the distance. Pompeii is Italy's third and the world's 48th most visited destination, with over 2.5 million tourists a year.]]
[[File:Vernazza and the sea, Cinque Terre, Italy.jpg|thumb|[[Cinque Terre]] on the [[Italian Riviera]], one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy]]

===Beginnings===
People have visited Italy for centuries, yet the first to visit the peninsula for touristic reasons were aristocrats during the [[Grand Tour]], beginning in the 17th century, and flourishing in the 18th and the 19th century.<ref name="grand-tour">{{cite web|url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/grand-tour/|title=Grand Tour|access-date=6 May 2022|language=it}}</ref>

[[Rome]], as the capital of the [[Roman Empire]], attracted thousands to the city and country from all over the empire, which included a great part of Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa. Traders and merchants came to Italy from several different parts of the world.
When the empire fell in 476 AD, Rome was no longer the epicentre of European politics and culture; on the other hand, it was the base of the [[papacy]], which then governed the growing [[Christianity|Christian]] religion, meaning that Rome remained one of Europe's major places of pilgrimage. Pilgrims, for centuries and still today, would come to the city, and that would have been the early equivalent of "tourism" or "religious tourism".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-19 |title=Pilgrimage in the Middle Ages - Insider's Travel |url=https://insiderstravel.io/pilgrimage-middle-ages-history/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=insiderstravel.io |language=en-US}}</ref> The trade empires of Venice, Pisa and Genoa meant that several traders, businessmen and merchants from all over the world would also regularly come to Italy. In the 16th and early 17th centuries, with the height of the Renaissance, several students came to Italy to study Italian architecture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flemish Artists’ Training Voyages in Italy {{!}} EHNE |url=https://ehne.fr/en/encyclopedia/themes/arts-in-europe/geography-and-circulation-artistic-models/flemish-artists%E2%80%99-training-voyages-in-italy |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=ehne.fr |language=en}}</ref>

===Grand Tour===
{{main|Grand Tour}}
Real "tourism" only affected Italy in the second half of the 17th century, with the beginning of the [[Grand Tour]]. This was a period in which European aristocrats, many of whom were British, visited parts of Europe, with Italy as a key destination.<ref name="grand-tour"/> For Italy, this was in order to study ancient architecture, local culture and to admire the natural beauties.<ref name="getty">{{cite web|url=http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/grand_tour/what.html|title=Italy on the Grand Tour (Getty Exhibitions)|access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref> The Grand Tour was in essence triggered by the book ''Voyage to Italy'', by Roman Catholic priest Richard Lassels, and published in 1670.<ref name="vasi.uoregon.edu">{{cite web|url=http://vasi.uoregon.edu/grandtour.html|title=18th Century Rome and the Grand Tour|access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://geography.about.com/od/historyofgeography/a/grandtour.htm|title=The History of the Grand Tour of Europe|author=Matt Rosenberg|work=About.com Education|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=5 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205235817/http://geography.about.com/od/historyofgeography/a/grandtour.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Due to the Grand Tour, tourism became even more prevalent  – making Italy one of the most desired destinations for millions of people.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Changing Mobilities|last=Hom|first=Stephanie|publisher=London:Routledge|year=2016|isbn=9781138778146}}</ref> Once inside what would be modern-day Italy, these tourists would begin by visiting Turin for a short while. On the way there, Milan was also a popular stop, yet a trip to the city was not considered essential, and several passed by or simply stayed for a short period of time. If a person came via boat, then they would remain for a few days in Genoa. Yet, the main destination in Northern Italy was Venice, which was considered a vital stop,<ref name="vasi.uoregon.edu" /> as well as cities around it such as Verona, Vicenza and Padua.

As the Tour went on, Tuscan cities were also very important itinerary stops. Florence was a major attraction, and other Tuscan towns, such as Siena, Pisa, Lucca and San Gimignano, were also considered important destinations. The most prominent stop in Central Italy, however, was Rome, a major centre for the arts and culture, as well as an essential city for a Grand Tourist.<ref name="vasi.uoregon.edu" /> Later, they would go down to the Bay of [[Naples]],<ref name="vasi.uoregon.edu" /> and after their discovery in 1710, [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]] were popular too. Sicily was considered a significant part of the trail, and several, such as [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe|Goethe]], visited the island.

===Mass tourism===
Throughout the 17th to 18th centuries, the Grand Tour was mainly reserved for academics or the elite. Nevertheless, circa 1840,<ref name="vasi.uoregon.edu"/> rail transport was introduced and the Grand Tour started to fall slightly out of vogue; hence, the first form of mass tourism was introduced. The 1840s saw the period in which the Victorian middle classes toured the country. Several Americans were also able to visit Italy, and many more tourists came to the peninsula. Places such as Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples and Sicily still remained the top attractions.

Like many other Europeans, Italians rely heavily on public transport. Italy is a relatively small country and distances are reduced.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-30|title=Public Transport in Italy|url=https://www.etiasitaly.com/public-transport-italy-foreign-travelers/|access-date=2021-12-13|website=Etias Italy|language=en}}</ref>

As the century progressed, fewer cultural visits were made, and there was an increase in tourists coming for Italy's nature and weather. The first seaside resorts, such as those on the Ligurian coast, around Venice, coastal Tuscany and Amalfi, became popular. This vogue of summer holidays heightened in the [[fin-de-siècle]] epoch, when numerous "Grand Hotels" were built (including places such as [[Sanremo]], [[Lido di Venezia]], [[Viareggio]] and [[Forte dei Marmi]]). Islands such as Capri, Ischia, Procida and Elba grew in popularity, and the Northern lakes, such as Lake Como, Maggiore and Garda were more frequently visited. Tourism to Italy remained very popular until the late-1920s and early-1930s, when, with the Great Depression and economic crisis, several could no longer afford to visit the country; the increasing political instability meant that fewer tourists came. Only old touristic groups, such as [[the Scorpioni]], remained alive.

After a big slump in tourism beginning from approximately 1929 and lasting after [[World War II]], Italy returned to its status as a popular resort, with the [[Italian economic miracle]] and raised living standards; films such as ''[[La Dolce Vita]]'' were successful abroad, and their depiction of the country's perceived idyllic life helped raise Italy's international profile. By this point, with higher incomes, Italians could also afford to go on holiday; coastline resorts saw a soar in visitors, especially in Romagna. Many cheap hotels and ''pensioni'' (hostels) were built in the 1960s, and with the rise of wealth, by now, even a working-class Italian family could afford a holiday somewhere along the coast. The late 1960s also brought mass popularity to mountain holidays and skiing; in Piedmont and the Aosta Valley, numerous ski resorts and chalets started being built. The 1970s also brought a wave of foreign tourists to Italy in search of a sentimental trip,<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/7961209/Villoresi_old_charm_-The_Trip_to_Italy Villoresi old charm -The Trip to Italy]</ref> since Mediterranean destinations saw a rise in global visitors.

Despite this, by the late 1970s and early 1980s, economic crises and political instability meant that there was a significant slump in the Italian tourist industry, as destinations in the Far East or South America rose in popularity.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/297474/Italy#|title=Italy|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref> Yet, by the late-1980s and early-1990s, tourism saw a return to popularity, with cities such as Milan becoming more popular destinations. Milan saw a rise in tourists since it was ripening its position as a worldwide [[fashion capital]].

== Overtourism ==
[[File:Vatikanische Gaerten Museen Rom.jpg|thumb|View of [[Vatican City]], Rome]]

Several popular tourism destinations in Italy – including [[Venice]], the [[Vatican City]], and the [[Cinque Terre]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=World overtourism map - Responsible Travel |url=https://www.responsibletravel.com/copy/overtourism-map |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=www.responsibletravel.com |language=en}}</ref> – have reported issues with [[overtourism]].

In particular, Venice's overtourism problem has received widespread media coverage. The causes of overtourism in Venice are numerous but the main factors include the volume of [[cruise ship]] passengers, excessive [[day trip]] visitors – which far outnumber residents and overnight guests – and an increase in [[Airbnb|peer to peer home-sharing platforms]] which are squeezing local people out of the housing market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overtourism in Venice - Responsible Travel |url=https://www.responsibletravel.com/copy/overtourism-in-venice |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=www.responsibletravel.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, less than 50,000 residents lived in Venice's Centro Storico. In the 1970s it is reported the old city centre housed 175,000 residents.<ref name="Medlicott">{{Cite web |last=Medlicott |first=Lauren Crosby |date=2024-09-25 |title=Venice residents despair as overtourism crackdown fails to deter visitors |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/world/venice-residents-despair-as-overtourism-crackdown-fails-to-deter-visitors-3262224 |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> On busy days, day trippers can number up to 85,000 per day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cerini |first=Marianna |date=2021-08-31 |title=After Banning Cruise Ships, Venice Puts a Cap on Day Trippers |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/after-banning-cruise-ships-venice-puts-a-cap-on-day-trippers |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=Condé Nast Traveler |language=en-US}}</ref>

A total of 30% of available residential apartments are occupied by tourist rentals.<ref name="Medlicott"/>  

Since 2021, large cruise ships have been banned from entering the historic centre after [[UNESCO]] threatened to put Venice on its endangered list as a result of damage to the [[Venetian Lagoon|lagoon]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-13 |title=Which European cities are regulating cruise ships? |url=https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/05/13/cruise-ships-erosion-air-pollution-and-overtourism-are-driving-cities-towards-bans |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, Venice authorities introduced an entry fee for day trippers on peak days between April and June to deter visitors; however, in late 2024 it was reported that this was not successful in reducing numbers.<ref name="Medlicott"/>

== Land and climate ==
=== Geography ===
[[File:Italy relief location map.jpg|thumb|[[Topography|Topographic]] map of Italy]]
{{main|Geography of Italy}}
[[Italy]] is located in [[southern Europe]] and it is also considered a part of [[western Europe]],<ref name="DGACM">{{Cite web |url=https://www.un.org/Depts/DGACM/RegionalGroups.shtml |title=UNITED NATIONS DGACM |website=www.un.org}}</ref> between latitudes [[35th parallel north|35°]] and [[47th parallel north|47° N]], and longitudes [[6th meridian east|6°]] and [[19th meridian east|19° E]]. To the north, Italy borders [[Switzerland]], [[France]], [[Austria]] and [[Slovenia]] and is roughly delimited by the [[Alps|Alpine watershed]], enclosing the [[Po Valley]] and the [[Venetian Plain]]. To the south, it consists of the entirety of the [[Italian Peninsula]] crossed by the [[Apennines]] and the two [[Mediterranean islands]] of [[Sicily]] and [[Sardinia]], in addition to [[List of islands of Italy|many smaller islands]]. The sovereign states of [[San Marino]] and the [[Vatican City]] are [[Enclave and exclave|enclaves]] within Italy,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/521449/San-Marino |title=San Marino |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |year=2012 |access-date=1 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17994868 |title=Vatican country profile |date=2018 |work=BBC News|access-date=24 August 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref> while [[Campione d'Italia]] is an Italian [[Enclave and exclave|exclave]] in Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Democracy in Figures|url=http://demo.istat.it/index_e.php|website=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics]]|access-date=28 May 2021|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126215040/http://demo.istat.it/index_e.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Italy is part of the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. The country's total area is {{convert|301230|km2|0|abbr=out}}, of which {{convert|294020|km2|0|abbr=on}} is land and {{convert|7210|km2|0|abbr=on}} is water.<ref name=Area>{{Cite web |url=https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/137001 |title=Principali dimensioni geostatistiche e grado di urbanizzazione del Paese |date=30 October 2014 |website=www.istat.it}}</ref> Including islands, Italy has a coastline of {{convert|7,900|km|abbr=on}} on the [[Adriatic Sea]], [[Ionian Sea]], [[Tyrrhenian Sea]], [[Ligurian Sea]], [[Sea of Sardinia]] and [[Strait of Sicily]], and borders shared with France ({{convert|488|km|0|abbr=on}}), Austria ({{convert|430|km|0|abbr=on}}), Slovenia ({{convert|232|km|0|abbr=on}}) and Switzerland ({{convert|740|km|0|abbr=on}}). San Marino ({{convert|39|km|0|abbr=on}}) and Vatican City ({{convert|3.2|km|1|abbr=on}}), both enclaves, account for the remainder.<ref name=Area />

=== Climate ===
[[File:Italy Köppen.svg|thumb|Map of the [[climate of Italy]]]]
{{main|Climate of Italy}}
The [[climate of Italy]] is influenced by the large body of water of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] that surrounds Italy on every side except the north. These seas constitute a reservoir of [[heat]] and [[humidity]] for Italy. Within the southern temperate zone, they determine a particular climate called [[Mediterranean climate]] with local differences due to the [[geomorphology]] of the territory, which tends to make its mitigating effects felt, especially in [[Anticyclone|high pressure]] conditions.

Because of the length of the peninsula and the mostly mountainous hinterland, the climate of Italy is highly diverse. The inland northern areas of Italy (for example [[Turin]], [[Milan]], and [[Bologna]]) have a relatively cool, mid-latitude version of the [[Humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] Cfa), while the coastal areas of [[Liguria]] and the peninsula south of [[Florence]] generally fit the [[Mediterranean climate]] profile ([[Köppen climate classification]] Csa).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilclima.org/clima-italia/|title=Clima Italia|date=5 August 2012 |access-date=30 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Conditions on the coast are different from those in the interior, particularly during winter months when the higher altitudes tend to be cold, wet, and often snowy. The coastal regions have mild winters and warm and generally dry summers, although lowland valleys can be quite hot in summer. Between the north and south there can be a considerable difference in temperature, above all during the winter: on some winter days it can be {{convert|-2|°C|°F}} and snowing in Milan, while it is {{convert|8|°C|°F|1}} in [[Rome]] and {{convert|20|°C|°F}} in [[Palermo]]. Temperature differences are less extreme in the summer.

== Transport ==
{{Main|Transport in Italy}}
[[File:Autostrada del Sole - Italy - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Autostrada A1 (Italy)|Autostrada A1]] runs through [[Italy]] linking some of the [[List of cities in Italy|largest cities of the country]]: [[Milan]], [[Bologna]], [[Florence]], [[Rome]] and [[Naples]]]]
[[File:Milan CentralStation 016 4294.jpg|thumb|[[Milano Centrale railway station]] in Milan is the largest railway station in Europe by volume.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unitremilano.it/920/luoghi/stazione-centrale-milano.html|title=La Stazione Centrale di Milano: la più grande in Europa|access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref>]]
[[File:Aeroporto di Roma-Fiumicino in 2021.03.jpg|thumb|[[Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport]] in Rome]]
[[File:Inaugurazione metro B1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rome Metro]]]]

[[Transport in Italy|Transport infrastructure in Italy]] is well developed. [[Roads in Italy|Italy's paved road network]] is widespread, with a total length of about {{convert|487700|km|abbr=on}}.<ref>CIA World Factbook 2005</ref> It comprises both an extensive [[motorway]] network ({{convert|7016|km|abbr=on}}), called ''[[Autostrade of Italy|autostrade]]'', mostly [[toll road]]s, and national and local roads. The [[State highways (Italy)|Strade Statali]] is the Italian national network of [[state highway]]s. The total length for this network is about {{convert|25000|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name="stradeanas.it">{{cite web|url=http://www.stradeanas.it/index.php?/strade/consistenza/index|title=Anas S.p.A. - Consistenza|access-date=19 March 2024|language=it}}</ref> [[Regional road (Italy)|Strade Regionali]] ("regional roads") are a type of [[Roads in Italy|Italian road]] maintained by the [[regions of Italy|regions]] they traverse. A regional road is less important than a state highway, but more important than a [[Provincial road (Italy)|Strada Provinciale]] ("provincial road"). A provincial road is more important than a [[Strada Comunale]] ("municipal road").

The [[rail transport in Italy|national railway network]] is also extensive, especially in the north, totalizing 16,862&nbsp;km of which 69% are electrified and on which 4,937 locomotives and railcars circulate. It is the [[List of countries by rail transport network size|12th largest in the world]], and is operated by state-owned [[Ferrovie dello Stato]], while the [[rail tracks]] and infrastructure are managed by [[Rete Ferroviaria Italiana]]. While a number of private railroads exist and provide mostly [[Commuter rail|commuter-type]] services, the national railway also provides sophisticated [[High-speed rail in Italy|high-speed rail]] service that joins the major cities.

Italy's metro systems offer efficient urban transport in cities like [[Milan]] and [[Rome]]. Milan’s Metro, with five lines, connects major areas, while Rome's three-line Metro facilitates access to landmarks like the [[Colosseum]] and [[Vatican City|Vatican]]. These metro systems are integral to Italy's public transport network, providing a quick and convenient way to navigate the cities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navigating Italy by Francesco Meola - Italy - Rexby |url=https://www.rexby.com/meolafrancesco/t/navigating-italy |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=www.rexby.com |language=en}}</ref>

Italy is the fifth in Europe by number of passengers by air transport, with about 148 million passengers or about 10% of the European total in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trasporto aereo in Italia (PDF) |date=7 January 2013 |url=http://www.istat.it/it/archivio/78802 |publisher=ISTAT |access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref> There are approximately [[List of airports in Italy|130 airports in Italy]], of which 99 have paved runways (including the two [[Airline hub|hubs]] of [[Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport|Leonardo Da Vinci International]] in Rome and [[Malpensa International Airport|Malpensa International]] in Milan).

In 2004 there were 43 major seaports including the [[Port of Genoa]], the country's largest and the [[List of busiest ports in Europe|third busiest by cargo tonnage]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. Due to the increasing importance of the maritime [[Silk Road]] with its connections to Asia and East Africa, the Italian ports for [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]] have become important in recent years. In particular, the deep water port of [[Trieste]] in the northernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea is the target of Italian, Asian and European investments.<ref>Marcus Hernig: Die Renaissance der Seidenstraße (2018) pp 112.</ref><ref>Bernhard Simon: Can The New Silk Road Compete With The Maritime Silk Road? in The Maritime Executive, 1 January 2020.</ref> The national inland waterway network comprises {{convert|1,477|km|mi|abbr=on}} of navigable rivers and channels. In the northern regions of  [[Lombardy]] and  [[Veneto]], commuter ferry boats operate on [[Lake Garda]] and [[Lake Como]] to connect towns and villages at both sides of the lakes.

Seven Italian cities have [[Metro (rapid transit)|metro]] systems:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! City !! Name !! Lines !! Length !! Stations !! Opening
|-
| [[Brescia]] || [[Brescia Metro]] || 1 || {{convert|13.7|km|abbr=on}} || 17 ||2013
|-
| [[Catania]] || [[Catania Metro]] || 1 || {{convert|8.8|km|abbr=on}} || 10 ||1999
|-
| [[Genoa]] || [[Genoa Metro]] || 1 || {{convert|7.1|km|abbr=on}} || 8 ||1990
|-
| [[Milan]] || [[Milan Metro]] || 5 || {{convert|102.5|km|abbr=on}} || 119 || 1964
|-
| [[Naples]] || [[Naples Metro]] || 2 || {{convert|20.3|km|abbr=on}} || 23 || 1993
|-
| [[Rome]] || [[Rome Metro]] || 3 || {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}} || 75 || 1955
|-
| [[Turin]] || [[Turin Metro]] || 1 || {{convert|15.1|km|abbr=on}} || 23 ||2006
|}

== Tourist flows ==
{{further|Public holidays in Italy}}
[[File:Capodanno romano.jpg|thumb|[[New Year's Day]] fireworks display in [[Rome]] on 1 January 2012]]

The peaks of tourist flows in Italy are recorded in winter, due to the [[Christmas]] and [[New Year's Day]] holidays,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/cosa%20fare/vacanze-natale-2021-1.7161005|title=Vacanze di Natale 2021, dove andare: caccia alle destinazioni meno battute|date=17 December 2021 |access-date=23 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> in spring, due to the [[Easter]] holidays,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tg24.sky.it/cronaca/2022/04/17/pasqua-turisti-citta-arte-mare-montagna|title=Pasqua: città d'arte piene di turisti e prove d'estate sulle spiagge.|date=17 April 2022 |access-date=23 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> and in summer, due to the favourable climate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sustainabletourism.eurac.edu/it/area-tematica/stagionalita/|title=Stagionalità|access-date=23 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

For internal tourism, peaks of tourist flows are also recorded on the occasion of the three national civil holidays, the ''[[Liberation Day (Italy)|Festa della liberazione]]'' (25 April), the ''[[International Workers' Day|Festa dei lavoratori]]'' (1 May) and the ''[[Festa della Repubblica]]'' (2 June),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.affaritaliani.it/economia/turismo-pasqua-25-aprile-boom-in-italia-ponte-ricchissimo-da-5-5-miliardi-791454.html|title=Turismo, Pasqua-25 aprile boom in Italia: ponte ricchissimo da 5,5 miliardi|date=16 April 2022 |access-date=23 April 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tg24.sky.it/cronaca/2021/05/31/riparte-il-turismoonte-del-2-giugno-9-milioni-di-italiani-in-vacanza|title=Festa del 2 giugno, il turismo riparte: 9 mln di italiani in viaggio|date=31 May 2021 |access-date=23 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> as well as for three religious holidays, the ''[[Ferragosto]]'' (15 August),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newtuscia.it/2017/08/14/turismo-ponte-ferragosto-verso-esaurito-anche-nella-provincia-viterbo/|title=Turismo, ponte di Ferragosto verso il tutto esaurito anche nella provincia di Viterbo|date=14 August 2017 |access-date=23 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> the ''[[All Saints' Day|Ognissanti]]'' (1 November)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tg24.sky.it/cronaca/2021/10/29/ponte-1-novembre-ognissanti-viaggi|title=Ponte Ognissanti, 10 milioni di italiani in viaggio: meta preferita sono le città d'arte|date=29 October 2021 |access-date=23 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> and the ''[[Feast of the Immaculate Conception|Festa dell'Immacolata Concezione]]'' (8 December).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.confesercenti.it/blog/8-dicembre-assoturismo-cst-lincertezza-frena-il-turismo-per-ponte-immacolata-4-milioni-di-pernottamenti-ma-tante-camere-vuote/|title=8 dicembre: Assoturismo-CST, l'incertezza frena il turismo, per Ponte Immacolata 4 milioni di pernottamenti ma tante camere vuote|date=4 December 2021 |access-date=23 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

== Statistics ==
<div class="floatright">
<timeline>
ImageSize=width:270 height:300
PlotArea=left:60 bottom:75 top:10 right:16
AlignBars=justify
Period=from:0 till:10
TimeAxis=orientation:horizontal

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ScaleMajor=unit:year increment:2 start:0 gridcolor:line2
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BarData=
 bar:January text:January
 bar:February text:February
 bar:March text:March
 bar:April text:April
 bar:May text:May
 bar:June text:June
 bar:July text:July
 bar:August text:August
 bar:September text:September
 bar:October text:October
 bar:November text:November
 bar:December text:December

PlotData=
 color:tan1 width:10

 bar:January from:start till:2.3 text:
 bar:February from:start till:2.9 text:
 bar:March from:start till:3.9 text:
 bar:April from:start till:4.9 text:
 bar:May from:start till:7.7 text:
 bar:June from:start till:8 text:
 bar:July from:start till:9.7 text:
 bar:August from:start till:8.9 text:
 bar:September from:start till:8.4 text:
 bar:October from:start till:6.4 text:
 bar:November from:start till:2.7 text:
 bar:December from:start till:2.6 text:

TextData=
 pos:(50,37) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Tourist Arrivals at Accommodation 
TextData=
 pos:(50,20) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Establishments in 2024 (millions)
TextData=
 pos:(50,3) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Source: Trading Economics, ISTAT
</timeline></div>
{| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="border:solid 1px #aaa"
|+'''Yearly tourist arrivals in millions<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2024 |title=Italy: International tourist trips |url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/international-tourist-trips?tab=chart&country=~ITA |website=Our World In Data}}</ref><ref name="Barom May24">{{cite web |date=May 2024 |title=World Tourism Barometer |url=https://pre-webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2024-06/Barom_PPT_May_2024.pdf?VersionId=U7O62HatlG4eNAj.wcmuQG1PMCjK.Yss |access-date=24 June 2024 |publisher=[[World Tourism Organization]] |language=en |p=19}}</ref>'''
|<timeline>
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PlotData=
  color:skyblue width:11
  bar:95 from:start till:31
  bar:96 from:start till:34.1
  bar:97 from:start till:34.7
  bar:98 from:start till:34.9
  bar:99 from:start till:36.5
  bar:00 from:start till:41.2
  bar:01 from:start till:39.6
  bar:02 from:start till:39.8
  bar:03 from:start till:39.6
  bar:04 from:start till:37.1
  bar:05 from:start till:36.5
  bar:06 from:start till:41.1
  bar:07 from:start till:43.7
  bar:08 from:start till:42.7
  bar:09 from:start till:43.2
  bar:10 from:start till:43.6
  bar:11 from:start till:46.1
  bar:12 from:start till:46.4
 bar:13 from:start till:47.7
 bar:14 from:start till:48.6
 bar:15 from:start till:50.7
 bar:16 from:start till:52.4
 bar:17 from:start till:58.2
 bar:18 from:start till:61.6
 bar:19 from:start till:64.5
 bar:20 from:start till:25.2
 bar:21 from:start till:26.9
 bar:22 from:start till:49.8
 bar:23 from:start till:57.2
 color:powderblue width:11
</timeline>
|}

===  Arrivals by country ===
Most visitors arriving in Italy in 2023 were citizens of the following countries:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ASI_2024.pdf|title=Annuario statistico italiano 2023, pg.721|access-date=17 May 2025}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable
|- style="color:white;"
! style="width:5px; background:#00966E;"|#
! style="width:220px; background:#00966E;"| Country
! style="width:50px; background:#00966E;"| Arrivals
|-
|1||{{DEU}}|| 13.534.624
|-
|2||{{USA}}|| 7.553.297
|-
|3||{{FRA}}|| 5.070.455
|-
|4||{{GBR}}|| 3.588.655
|-
|5||{{CHE}}|| 3.432.264
|-
|6||{{AUT}}|| 2.954.193
|-
|7||{{NED}}|| 2.377.835
|-
|8||{{ESP}}|| 2.349.955
|-
|9||{{POL}}|| 2.115.376
|-
|10||[[File:Europe (orthographic projection).svg|20px]] Other European countries|| 1.502.321
|-
|11||{{BEL}}|| 1.327.329
|-
|12||{{AUS}}|| 1.326.986
|-
|13||[[File:Asia (orthographic projection).svg|20px]] Other Asian countries|| 1.276.831
|-
|14||{{CAN}}|| 1.152.652
|-
|15||{{CHN}}|| 1.141.851
|-
|16||{{BRA}}|| 1.119.696
|-
|17||{{CZE}}|| 1.095.067
|-
|18||{{ROU}}|| 1.059.288
|-
|19||[[File:Latin America (orthographic projection).svg|20px]] Other Latin America countries|| 841.639
|-
|20||{{KOR}}|| 799.939
|-
|21||{{HUN}}|| 702.037
|-
|22||{{DEN}}|| 700.794
|-
|23||{{ISR}}|| 697.781
|-
|24||[[File:Middle East (orthographic projection).svg|20px]] Other Middle East countries|| 697.730
|-
|25||{{SWE}}|| 674.568
|-
|26||{{MEX}}|| 657.081
|-
|27||{{IRL}}|| 617.775
|-
|28||{{ARG}}|| 573.034
|-
|29||{{TUR}}|| 534.378
|-
||| '''Total arrivals''' || '''127.234.085'''
|- 
|}

===  Nights spent by country ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="color:white;"
! style="width:5px; background:#00966E;" |Rank
! style="width:190px; background:#00966E;" | Country
! style="width:50px; background:#00966E;" | Nights spent
|-
|1||{{DEU}}|| 58.699.396
|-
|2||{{USA}}|| 16.302.928
|-
|3||{{FRA}}|| 13.842.473
|-
|4||{{GBR}}|| 13.674.263
|-
|5||{{CHE}}|| 10.806.529
|-
|6||{{NLD}} || 10.320.382 
|-
|7||{{AUT}} || 9.520.238
|-
|8||{{POL}} || 6.203.982
|-
|9||{{RUS}} || 5.819.444
|-
|10||{{ESP}} || 5.789.755
|-
|11||{{CHN}} || 5.355.907
|-
|12||{{BEL}} || 4.751.383 
|-
|13||{{CZE}} || 4.127.567
|-
|14||{{DNK}} || 3.058.530
|-
|15||{{AUS}} || 2.881.036
|-
|16||{{BRA}} || 2.824.686
|-
|17||{{ROM}} || 2.765.252
|-
|18||{{CAN}} || 2.665.209 
|-
|19||{{JPN}} || 2.544.362 
|-
|20||{{SWE}} || 2.372.891
|-
|21||{{HUN}} || 2.210.468
|-
|22||{{IRL}} || 1.815.223 
|-
|23||{{NOR}} || 1.247.398
|-
|24||{{GRE}} || 903.868
|-
|||[[File:Europe (orthographic projection).svg|20px]] Extra-European countries || 17.437.507
|-
|||[[File:Europe (orthographic projection).svg|20px]] Other European countries || 5.311.276
|-
||| '''Total''' || '''220.662.684'''
|-
|}

Italy overall had 420.63 million visitor nights in 2017, of which 210.66 million were of foreign guests (50.08 per cent). With 37.04 million nights spent in hotels, hostels or clinics, the [[Metropolitan City of Venice]] has the most visitors.<ref name="istat">{{cite web|url=http://dati.istat.it/Index.aspx?lang=en&SubSessionId=d7e5d572-5f0e-470b-aa29-1442bf8e5194#|title=Capacity of collective accommodation establishments and Occupancy in collective accommodation establishments: Movement by type of accommodation, disaggregated – provinces|website=dati.istat.it|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref>

=== Italian regions by number of visitors ===
According to regional data, in 2018 tourism presences in Italy amounted to 436 million (216 million residents and 220 million non-residents).<ref name="ISTAT0719">{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/files//2019/07/infograficaIT.pdf |title=Tourism brochure |date=2018 |website=istat.it |access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref>

With 71 million nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments, [[Veneto]] has the highest number of visitors and ranks sixth in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.touringclub.it/notizie-di-viaggio/il-veneto-e-la-quinta-regione-piu-turistica-deuropa|title=Il Veneto è la quinta regione più turistica d'Europa|first=Touring Club|last=Italiano|website=Touring Club Italiano}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=File:Number_of_nights_spent_in_tourist_accommodation_establishments_in_the_top_20_EU-28_tourist_regions,_by_NUTS_2_regions,_2015_(million_nights_spent)_RYB17.png|title=File:Number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the top 20 EU-28 tourist regions, by NUTS 2 regions, 2015 (million nights spent) RYB17.png – Statistics Explained|website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref>

Below is a table with the most visited [[regions in Italy]] (data as of 2019)
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="color:white;"
! style="width:5px; background:#00966E;" | #
! style="width:200px; background:#00966E;" |Region
! style="width:90px; background:#00966E;" | Total nights
! style="width:90px; background:#00966E;" | Resident
! style="width:90px; background:#00966E;" | Non resident
|-
| 1 || {{flag|Veneto}} ||align=right| 71.236.630 || 23.068.000 || 48.168.630	
|-
| 2 || {{flag| Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol}} ||align=right| 52.074.506 || 20.941.947 || 31.132.559	
|-
| 3 || {{flag|Tuscany}} ||align=right| 48.077.301 || 22.317.283 || 25.760.018	
|-
| 4 || {{flag|Emilia-Romagna}} ||align=right| 40.647.799 || 29.748.437 || 10.611.605	
|-
| 5 || {{flag|Lombardy}} ||align=right| 40.482.939 || 16.229.378 || 24.253.561	
|-
| 6 || {{flag|Lazio}} ||align=right| 39.029.255 || 14.637.466 || 24.391.789	
|-
| 7 || {{flag|Campania}} ||align=right| 22.013.245 || 11.383.367 || 10.629.878
|-
| 8 || {{flag|Apulia}} ||align=right| 15.441.469 || 11.598.644 || 3.842.825
|-
| 9 || {{flag|Sardinia}} ||align=right| 15.145.885 || 7.418.767 ||7.727.118
|-
| 10 || {{flag|Sicily}} ||align=right| 15.114.931 ||7.483.403 ||7.631.528
|-
| 11 || {{flag|Liguria}} ||align=right| 15.074.888 || 8.932.884 || 6.142.004
|-
| 12 || {{flag|Piedmont}} ||align=right| 14.889.951 ||8.351.424 ||6.538.527	
|-
| 13 || {{flag|Marche}} ||align=right| 10.370.800 ||8.647.855 ||2.417.288
|-
| 14 || {{flag|Calabria}} ||align=right| 9.509.423 ||7.315.264 ||2.194.159	
|-
| 15 || {{flag|Friuli-Venezia Giulia}}|| align="right" | 9.052.850 ||3.898.039	||5.154.811
|-
| 16 || {{flag|Abruzzo}} ||align=right| 6.176.702 ||5.383.234 ||793.468
|-
| 17 || {{flag|Umbria}} ||align=right| 5.889.224 ||3.810.497 ||2.078.727
|-
| 18 || {{flag|Aosta Valley}} ||align=right| 3.625.616 ||2.113.001 ||1.512.615
|-
| 19 || {{flag|Basilicata}} ||align=right| 2.733.969 ||2.392.796||296.230
|-
| 20 || {{flag|Molise}} ||align=right| 448.600 ||127.283||341.173
|-
| || '''{{ITA}}''' ||align=right| '''436.739.271''' || '''216.076.587''' || '''220.662.684'''
|}

=== Italian provinces/metropolitan cities by number of visitors ===
{{Location map+ |Italy |float=right |width=450 |caption=Location of the 40 most visited [[Province of Italy|province]]s/[[metropolitan cities of Italy]]|places=
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=45.43 |long=12.33 |label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Venice|Venice]]|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=46.5|long= 11.35|label_size=80 |label=[[South Tyrol|Bolzano]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=41.89|long=12.48|label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Rome Capital|Rome]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=46.06|long=11.11|label_size=80 |label=[[Trentino|Trento]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=45.43|long=10.98|label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Verona|Verona]]|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=44.05|long=12.56|label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Rimini|Rimini]]|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=45.46|long=9.19|label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Milan|Milan]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=43.77|long=11.25|label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Florence|Florence]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=40.83|long=14.25|label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Naples|Naples]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=45.63|long=10.3 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Brescia|Brescia]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=45.40|long=11.87 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Padua|Padua]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=43.55|long=10.31 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Livorno|Livorno]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=40.73|long=8.56 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Sassari|Sassari]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=45.06|long=7.7 |label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Turin|Turin]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=44.41|long=12.19 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Ravenna|Ravenna]]|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=40.68|long=14.76 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Salerno|Salerno]]|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=44.30|long=8.49 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Savona|Savona]]|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=42.75|long=11.10 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Grosseto|Grosseto]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=46.06|long=13.23 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Udine|Udine]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=44.22|long=12.04 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Forlì-Cesena|Forlì-Cesena]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=43.33|long=11.33 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Siena|Siena]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=43.85|long=10.51 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Lucca|Lucca]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=43.71|long=10.4 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Pisa|Pisa]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=46.14|long=12.21 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Belluno|Belluno]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=45.81|long=9.08 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Como|Como]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=44.84|long=11.63 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Ferrara|Ferrara]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=40.35|long=18.16 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Lecce|Lecce]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=43.11|long=12.38 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Perugia|Perugia]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=44.49|long=11.34 |label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Bologna|Bologna]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=41.46|long=15.56 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Foggia|Foggia]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=44.41|long=8.93 |label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Genoa|Genoa]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=45.74|long=7.43 |label_size=80 |label=[[Aosta Valley|Aosta]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=38.18|long=15.55 |label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Messina|Messina]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=42.65|long=13.70 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Teramo|Teramo]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=43.91|long=12.91 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Pesaro and Urbino|Pesaro-Urbino]]|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=39.3|long=16.25 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Cosenza|Cosenza]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=43.88|long=8.02 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Imperia|Imperia]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=45.93|long=8.53 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola|Verbania]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=38.11|long=13.35 |label_size=80 |label=[[Metropolitan City of Palermo|Palermo]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Italy|lat=43.61|long=13.51 |label_size=80 |label=[[Province of Ancona|Ancona]]|position=bottom}}
}}
Below is a table with the most visited [[Province of Italy|province]]/[[Metropolitan cities of Italy|metropolitan cities in Italy]] (data as of 2017)
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|- style="color:white;"
! style="background:#00966E;" |Rank 
! style="background:#00966E;" |Province/Metropolitan City
! style="background:#00966E;" |# of nights <br />in 2017<ref name="istat"/>
! style="background:#00966E;" |of whom<br />foreign visitors<ref name="istat"/> 
! style="background:#00966E;" |Region
|-
|align=center| 1 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Venice|Venice]] || 37,042,454 || 27,477,075 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Veneto}}
|-
|align=center| 2 || style="text-align:left;"| [[South Tyrol|Bolzano/Bozen]] || 32,400,662 || 22,125,350 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol|Trentino-Alto Adige}}
|-
|align=center| 3 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Rome Capital|Rome]] || 29,833,225 || 7,046,098 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Lazio}}
|-
|align=center| 4 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Trentino|Trento]] || 17,776,030 || 7,412,103 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol|Trentino-Alto Adige}}
|-
|align=center| 5 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Verona|Verona]] || 17,293,792 || 13,388,082 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Veneto}}
|-
|align=center| 6 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Rimini|Rimini]] || 15,967,490 || 3,808,354 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Emilia-Romagna}} 
|-
|align=center| 7 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Milan|Milan]] || 15,468,199 || 9,291,198 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Lombardy}}
|-
|align=center| 8 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Florence|Florence]] || 14,716,466 || 10,780,968 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Tuscany}}
|-
|align=center| 9 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Naples|Naples]] || 13,161,395 || 7,247,964 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Campania}}
|-
|align=center| 10 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Brescia|Brescia]] || 10,463,688 || 7,472,887 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Lombardy}}
|-
|align=center| 11 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Livorno|Livorno]] || 8,663,572 || 3,491,172 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Tuscany}}
|-
|align=center| 12 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Sassari|Sassari]] || 7,492,538 || 4,162,225 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Sardinia}}
|-
|align=center| 13 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Turin|Turin]] || 7,046,219 || 1,842,052 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Piedmont}}
|-
|align=center| 14 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Ravenna|Ravenna]] || 6,698,702 || 1,381,666 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Emilia-Romagna}}
|-
|align=center| 15 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Salerno|Salerno]] || 6,029,649 || 2,098,781 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Campania}}
|-
|align=center| 16 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Savona|Savona]] || 5,717,487 || 1,471,811 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Liguria}}
|-
|align=center| 17 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Grosseto|Grosseto]] || 5,714,546 || 1,601,673 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Tuscany}}
|-
|align=center| 18 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Padua|Padua]] || 5,479,110 || 2,426,489 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Veneto}}
|-
|align=center| 19 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Udine|Udine]] || 5,371,339 || 3,027,318 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Friuli-Venezia Giulia}}
|-
|align=center| 20 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Forlì-Cesena|Forlì-Cesena]] || 5,357,398 || 1,027,558 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Emilia-Romagna}}
|-
|align=center| 21 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Lecce|Lecce]] || 5,048,739 || 949,521 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Apulia}}
|-
|align=center| 22 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Siena|Siena]] || 4,928,092 || 2,880,531 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Tuscany}}
|-
|align=center| 23 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Perugia|Perugia]] || 4,689,356 || 1,699,019 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Umbria}}
|-
|align=center| 24 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Bologna|Bologna]] || 4,607,456 || 2,101,001 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Emilia-Romagna}}
|-
|align=center| 25 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Foggia|Foggia]] || 4,503,604 || 697,073 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Apulia}}
|-
|align=center| 26|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Genoa|Genoa]] || 4,082,817 || 1,945,743 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Liguria}}
|-
|align=center| 27 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Belluno|Belluno]] || 3,806,806 || 1,208,331 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Veneto}}
|-
|align=center| 28 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Aosta Valley|Aosta/Aoste]] || 3,599,402 || 1,434,422 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Aosta Valley}}
|-
|align=center| 29 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Lucca|Lucca]] || 3,546,044 || 1,696,020 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Tuscany}}
|-
|align=center| 30 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Messina|Messina]] || 3,493,859 || 2,153,932 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Sicily}}
|-
|align=center| 31 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Teramo|Teramo]] || 3,419,387 || 523,718 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Abruzzo}}
|-
|align=center| 32 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Pesaro and Urbino|Pesaro and Urbino]] || 3,295,759 || 729,067 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Marche}}
|-
|align=center| 33 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Cosenza|Cosenza]] || 3,290,418 || 369,693 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Calabria}}
|-
|align=center| 34 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Imperia|Imperia]] || 3,202,619 || 1,324,925 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Liguria}}
|-
|align=center| 35 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola|Verbania]] || 3,095,668 || 2,443,754 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Piedmont}}
|-
|align=center| 36 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Como|Como]] || 3,088,807 || 2,375,038 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Lombardy}}
|-
|align=center| 37 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Pisa|Pisa]] || 3,032,756 || 1,632,412 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Tuscany}}
|-
|align=center| 38 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Ferrara|Ferrara]] || 3,020,136 || 1,142,220 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Emilia-Romagna}}
|-
|align=center| 39|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Metropolitan City of Palermo|Palermo]] || 2,981,947 || 1,703,615 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Sicily}}
|-
|align=center| 40 || style="text-align:left;"| [[Province of Ancona|Ancona]] || 2,954,206 || 536,167 || style="text-align:left;"| {{flag|Marche}}
|-
||| style="text-align:left;"|''rest of Italy'' || 79,247,316 || 42,531,760 || 
|-
! colspan=2| Total || 420,629,155 || 210,658,786 ||
|}

=== Italian cities by number of visitors ===
Below is a table with the most visited [[cities in Italy]] (data as of 2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/files//2019/12/C19.pdf|title=Movimento turistico in Italia nel 2018|access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! # || Comune || Region || Province / Metropolitan city || Nights
|-
| 1 ||[[Rome]]||{{IT-LAZ}} || [[Metropolitan City of Rome|Rome]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:30980083}}
|-
| 2 ||[[Venice]]||{{IT-VEN}} || [[Metropolitan City of Venice|Venice]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:12948519}}
|-
| 3 ||[[Milan]]||{{flag|Lombardy}} || [[Metropolitan City of Milan|Milan]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:12474278}}
|-
| 4 ||[[Florence]]||{{flag|Tuscany}} || [[Metropolitan city of Florence|Florence]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:10955345}}
|-
| 5 ||[[Rimini]]||{{IT-EMR}} || [[Province of Rimini|Rimini]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:7548135}}
|-
| 6 ||[[Cavallino-Treporti]]||{{IT-VEN}} || Venice ||align=right| {{formatnum:6269451}}
|-
| 7 ||[[San Michele al Tagliamento]]||{{IT-VEN}} || Venice ||align=right| {{formatnum:5851482}}
|-
| 8 ||[[Jesolo]]||{{IT-VEN}} || Venice ||align=right| {{formatnum:5438519}}
|-
| 9 ||[[Caorle]]||{{IT-VEN}} || Venice ||align=right| {{formatnum:4319483}}
|-
| 10 ||[[Naples]]||{{flag|Campania}} || [[Metropolitan city of Naples|Naples]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:3765485}}
|-
| 11 ||[[Riccione]]||{{IT-EMR}} || Rimini ||align=right| {{formatnum:3632025}}
|-
| 12 ||[[Turin]]||{{flag|Piedmont}} || [[Metropolitan City of Turin|Turin]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:3626036}}
|-
| 13 ||[[Lazise]]||{{IT-VEN}} || [[Province of Verona|Verona]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:3606249}}
|-
| 14 ||[[Lignano Sabbiadoro]]||{{IT-FVG}} || [[Province of Udine|Udine]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:3594091}}
|-
| 15 ||[[Cervia]]||{{IT-EMR}} || [[Province of Ravenna|Ravenna]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:3468948}}
|-
| 16 ||[[Cesenatico]]||{{IT-EMR}} || [[Province of Forlì-Cesena|Forlì-Cesena]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:3403237}}
|-
| 17 ||[[Bologna]]||{{IT-EMR}} || [[Metropolitan City of Bologna|Bologna]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:3188040}}
|-
| 18 ||[[Sorrento]]||{{flag|Campania}} || [[Metropolitan city of Naples|Naples]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:2756578}}
|-
| 19 ||[[Verona]]||{{IT-VEN}} || Verona ||align=right| {{formatnum:2743943}}
|-
| 20 ||[[Ravenna]]||{{IT-EMR}} || Ravenna ||align=right| {{formatnum:2495943}}
|-
| 21 ||[[Peschiera del Garda]]||{{IT-VEN}}|| Verona ||align=right| {{formatnum:2379705}}
|-
| 22 ||[[Bellaria-Igea Marina]]||{{IT-EMR}} || Rimini ||align=right| {{formatnum:2216032}}
|-
| 23 ||[[Bardolino]]||{{IT-VEN}} || Verona ||align=right| {{formatnum:2101596}}
|-
| 24 ||[[Comacchio]]||{{IT-EMR}} || Ferrara ||align=right| {{formatnum:1998304}}
|-
| 25 ||[[Abano Terme]]||{{IT-VEN}} || [[Province of Padua|Padua]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1987421}}
|-
| 26 ||[[Vieste]]||{{IT-PUG}} || [[Province of Foggia|Foggia]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1915749}}
|-
| 27 ||[[Genoa]]||{{IT-LIG}} || [[Metropolitan City of Genoa|Genoa]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1905777}}
|-
| 28 ||[[Pisa]]||{{flag|Tuscany}} || [[province of Pisa|Pisa]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1859653}}
|-
| 29 ||[[Cattolica]]||{{IT-EMR}} || Rimini ||align=right| {{formatnum:1848353}}
|-
| 30 ||[[Padua]]||{{IT-VEN}} || Padua ||align=right| {{formatnum:1657672}}
|-
| 31 ||[[Montecatini Terme]]||{{flag|Tuscany}} || [[Province of Pistoia|Pistoia]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1629602}}
|-
| 32 ||[[Palermo]]||{{IT-SIC}} || [[Metropolitan City of Palermo|Palermo]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1594187}}
|-
| 33 ||[[Riva del Garda]]||{{IT-TAA}} || [[Trentino|Trento]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1590189}}
|-
| 34 ||[[Castelrotto]]||{{IT-TAA}} || [[South Tyrol|Bolzano]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1584220}}
|-
| 35 ||[[Castiglione della Pescaia]]||{{flag|Tuscany}} || Grosseto ||align=right| {{formatnum:1506463}}
|-
| 36 ||[[Grado, Friuli Venezia Giulia|Grado]]||{{IT-FVG}} || [[Province of Gorizia|Gorizia]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1398262}}
|-
| 37 ||[[Chioggia]]||{{IT-VEN}} || Venice ||align=right| {{formatnum:1376237}}
|-
| 38 ||[[Livigno]]||{{flag|Lombardy}} || [[Province of Sondrio|Sondrio]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1337223}}
|-
| 39 ||[[Forio]]||{{flag|Campania}} || Naples ||align=right| {{formatnum:1295862}}
|-
| 40 ||[[Selva di Val Gardena]]||{{IT-TAA}} || Bolzano ||align=right| {{formatnum:1294036}}
|-
| 41 ||[[Ischia]]||{{flag|Campania}} || Naples ||align=right| {{formatnum:1236669}}
|-
| 42 ||[[Sirmione]]||{{flag|Lombardy}} || [[Province of Brescia|Brescia]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1209423}}
|-
| 43 ||[[Arzachena]]||{{flag|Sardinia}} || [[Province of Sassari|Sassari]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1209220}}
|-
| 44 ||[[San Vincenzo, Tuscany|San Vincenzo]]||{{flag|Tuscany}} || [[Province of Livorno|Livorno]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1198640}}
|-
| 45 ||[[Fiumicino]]||{{IT-LAZ}} || Rome || align="right" | {{formatnum:1180562}}
|-
| 46 ||[[Badia, South Tyrol|Badia]]||{{IT-TAA}} || Bolzano ||align=right| {{formatnum:1178014}}
|-
| 47 ||[[Limone sul Garda]]||{{flag|Lombardy}} || Brescia|| align="right" | {{formatnum:1167770}}
|-
| 48 ||[[Orbetello]]||{{flag|Tuscany}} || [[Province of Grosseto|Grosseto]]||align=right| {{formatnum:1165731}}
|-
| 49 ||[[Merano]]||{{IT-TAA}} || Bolzano ||align=right| {{formatnum:1148867}}
|-
| 50 ||[[Assisi]]||{{IT-UMB}} || [[Province of Perugia|Perugia]] ||align=right| {{formatnum:1146596}}
|}

=== Italian archaeological sites and museums by number of visitors ===
Below is a table with the most visited archaeological sites and [[museums in Italy]] (data as of 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://viaggioincoppia.com/classifica-musei-piu-visitati-in-italia/|title=La classifica dei 30 musei più visitati in Italia|date=3 March 2021 |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.travel365.it/classifica-10-musei-piu-visitati-mondo.htm|title=I 10 Musei più visitati al Mondo - Classifica Ufficiale|access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="color:white;"
! style="background:#00966E;" | #
! style="background:#00966E;" | Site
! style="background:#00966E;" | City
! style="background:#00966E;" | Visitors
! style="background:#00966E;" | Region
|-
| 1 || Archaeological Park of the [[Colosseum]], the [[Roman Forum]] and the [[Palatine Hill]] || [[Rome]] ||align=right| 7,617,649 || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 2 || [[Vatican Museums]] || [[Rome]] ||align=right| 6,756,000 || {{Flag|Vatican City}}
|-
| 3 || [[Uffizi]] || [[Florence]] ||align=right| 4,391,861 || {{Flag|Tuscany}}
|-
| 4 || Archaeological Park of [[Pompeii]] || [[Pompei]] ||align=right| 3,933,079 || {{Flag|Campania}}
|-
| 5 || [[Galleria dell'Accademia]] || [[Florence]] ||align=right| 1,704,776 || {{Flag|Tuscany}}
|-
| 6 || [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] || [[Rome]] ||align=right| 1,207,091 || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 7 || [[Museo Egizio]] || [[Turin]] ||align=right| 853,320 || {{Flag|Piedmont}}
|-
| 8 || [[Palace of Venaria]] || [[Venaria Reale]] ||align=right| 837,093 || {{Flag|Piedmont}}
|-
| 9 || [[Royal Palace of Caserta]] || [[Caserta]] ||align=right| 728,231 || {{Flag|Campania}}
|-
| 10 || [[Hadrian's Villa]] and [[Villa d'Este]] || [[Tivoli, Lazio|Tivoli]] ||align=right| 721,574 || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 11 || [[National Archaeological Museum, Naples|National Archaeological Museum]] || [[Naples]] ||align=right| 670,594 || {{Flag|Campania}}
|-
| 12 || [[Bargello]] || [[Florence]] ||align=right| 644,569 || {{Flag|Tuscany}}
|-
| 13 || [[Galleria Borghese]] || [[Rome]] ||align=right| 572,976 || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 14 || Archaeological Park of [[Herculaneum]] || [[Ercolano]] ||align=right| 558,962 || {{Flag|Campania}}
|-
| 15 || {{Interlanguage link|Royal Museums of Turin|it|Musei Reali (Torino)}} || [[Turin]] ||align=right| 492,049 || {{Flag|Piedmont}}
|-
| 16 || [[The Last Supper (Leonardo)|Cenacolo Vinciano]] || [[Milan]] ||align=right| 445,728 || {{Flag|Lombardy}}
|-
| 17 || Archaeological Park of [[Paestum]] || [[Paestum (frazione)|Paestum]] ||align=right| 443,743 || {{Flag|Campania}}
|-
| 18 || [[Pinacoteca di Brera]] || [[Milan]] ||align=right| 417,976 || {{Flag|Lombardy}}
|-
| 19 || [[Ducal Palace, Mantua|Ducal Palace]] || [[Mantua]] ||align=right| 346,462 || {{Flag|Lombardy}}
|-
| 20 || [[Museo Nazionale Romano]] || [[Rome]] ||align=right| 323,750 || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 21 || Archaeological Park of [[Ostia Antica]] || [[Rome]] ||align=right| 322,099 || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 22 || [[Venice National Archaeological Museum]] || [[Venice]] ||align=right| 316,283 || {{Flag|Veneto}}
|-
| 23 || [[Scaligero Castle (Sirmione)|Scaligero Castle]] || [[Sirmione]] ||align=right| 308,459 || {{Flag|Lombardy}}
|-
| 24 || [[Miramare Castle]] || [[Trieste]] ||align=right| 307,177 || {{Flag|Friuli-Venezia Giulia}}
|-
| 25 || [[Gallerie dell'Accademia]] || [[Venice]] ||align=right| 304,999 || {{Flag|Veneto}}
|-
| 26 || [[Galleria Nazionale delle Marche]] || [[Urbino]] ||align=right| 272,521 || {{Flag|Marche}}
|-
| 27 || [[Royal Palace of Naples]] || [[Naples]] ||align=right| 272,116 || {{Flag|Campania}}
|-
| 28 || [[Castel del Monte, Apulia|Castel del Monte]] || [[Andria]] ||align=right| 269,794 || {{Flag|Apulia}}
|-
| 29 || [[Castel Sant'Elmo]] || [[Naples]] ||align=right| 266,971 || {{Flag|Campania}}
|-
| 30 || [[Baths of Caracalla]] || [[Rome]] ||align=right| 258,486 || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 31 || [[Museo di Capodimonte]] || [[Naples]] ||align=right| 252,770 || {{Flag|Campania}}
|-
|}

=== Italian churches by number of visitors ===
Below is a table with the most visited churches in Italy<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ecodegliblei.it/LE-DIECI-CHIESE-PIU-VISITATE-D-ITALIA-SECONDO-HOLIDU.htm|title=LE DIECI CHIESE PIU' VISITATE D'ITALIA SECONDO HOLIDU|access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="color:white;"
! style="background:#00966E;" | #
! style="background:#00966E;" | Church
! style="background:#00966E;" | City
! style="background:#00966E;" | Region
|-
| 1 || [[St. Peter's Basilica]] || [[Rome]] || {{Flag|Vatican City}}
|-
| 2 || [[Milan Cathedral]] || [[Milan]] || {{Flag|Lombardy}}
|-
| 3 || [[Florence Cathedral]] || [[Florence]] || {{Flag|Tuscany}}
|-
| 4 || [[Sistine Chapel]] || [[Rome]] || {{Flag|Vatican City}}
|-
| 5 || [[Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua]] || [[Padua]] || {{Flag|Veneto}}
|-
| 6 || [[Santa Maria Maggiore|Basilica of Saint Mary Major]] || [[Rome]] || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 7 || [[Santa Maria Novella|Basilica of Santa Maria Novella]] || [[Florence]] || {{Flag|Tuscany}}
|-
| 8 || [[Santa Croce, Florence|Basilica of Santa Croce]] || [[Florence]] || {{Flag|Tuscany}}
|-
| 9 || [[Palermo Cathedral]] || [[Palermo]] || {{Flag|Sicily}}
|-
| 10 || [[Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran]] || [[Rome]] || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 11 || [[St Mark's Basilica]] || [[Venice]] || {{Flag|Veneto}}
|-
| 12 || [[Monreale Cathedral]] || [[Monreale]] || {{Flag|Sicily}}
|-
| 13 || [[Santa Maria in Trastevere|Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere]] || [[Rome]] || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 14 || [[Basilica di San Nicola|Basilica of San Nicola]] || [[Bari]] || {{Flag|Apulia}}
|-
| 15 || [[Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan|Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie]] || [[Milan]] || {{Flag|Lombardy}}
|-
| 16 || [[Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls]] || [[Rome]] || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 17 || [[Modena Cathedral]] || [[Modena]] || {{Flag|Emilia-Romagna}}
|-
| 18 || [[Naples Cathedral]] || [[Naples]] || {{Flag|Campania}}
|-
| 19 || [[San Pietro in Vincoli|Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli]] || [[Rome]] || {{Flag|Lazio}}
|-
| 20 || [[Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio]] || [[Milan]] || {{Flag|Lombardy}}
|-
|}

==Factors of tourist interest==
There are many factors that drive tourism interest to Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://channel.endu.net/turismo-sportivo-passione-e-opportunita/|title=Turismo sportivo: tra passione e opportunità|date=10 January 2020 |access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

===Artistic-cultural tourism===
[[File:Reggia di Caserta - panoramio - Carlo Pelagalli (2).jpg|thumb|right|[[Royal Palace of Caserta]] is the largest former royal residence in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chronopoulou |first=Angeliki |date=23 January 2024 |title=Reggia Di Caserta Historical Overview |url=https://www.academia.edu/44592878/Reggia_di_Caserta_A_historical_overview |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=Academia |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Dictionnaire amoureux de Versailles">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qTdlAQAAQBAJ|title=Dictionnaire amoureux de Versailles|first=Franck|last=FERRAND|date=24 October 2013|publisher=Place des éditeurs|isbn=9782259222679 |via=Google Books}}</ref>]]
[[File:Padova Cappella degli Scrovegni Innen Langhaus West 4.jpg|thumb|[[Scrovegni Chapel]] in [[Padua]] contains a [[fresco]] cycle by [[Giotto]], an important masterpiece of [[Western art]]]]
[[File:Roma-parco degli acquedotti03.jpg|thumb|View of the [[Parco degli Acquedotti]], part of the [[Appian Way Regional Park]] in [[Rome]], where there is a large concentration of [[Roman aqueduct]]s]]
[[File:Musei Vaticani. Braccio Nuovo.JPG|thumb|[[Vatican Museums]] in [[Rome]], ranked second in the [[list of most-visited art museums]] in the world after the [[Louvre]], and third on the [[list of most-visited museums]].<ref>''[[The Art Newspaper]]'' visitor survey, March 27, 2023.</ref>]]

{{further|Culture of Italy|Architecture of Italy|Italian art|List of cathedrals in Italy|List of palaces in Italy|List of castles in Italy|List of museums in Italy|Science and technology in Italy}}
Italy is considered one of the birthplaces of [[Western culture|western civilization]] and a [[Power (international relations)#Power as status|cultural superpower]].<ref>Italy has been described as a "cultural superpower" by [http://www.arabnews.com/italy-cultural-superpower Arab news], [https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/coming-to-the-us-the-year-of-italian-culture-2013/2012/10/15/29f404a8-1703-11e2-9855-71f2b202721b_story.html the Washington Post], [https://archive.today/20141226233723/http://m.theaustralian.com.au/arts/italys-cultural-superpower-status-at-stake/story-e6frg8n6-1111113103044 The Australian], [http://italoamericano.com/story/2012-11-8/InterviewGeneralConsulSF#.VJgPzYA1 the Italian consul general in San Francisco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127074301/http://italoamericano.com/story/2012-11-8/InterviewGeneralConsulSF#.VJgPzYA1 |date=27 November 2015 }}, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/coming-to-the-us-the-year-of-italian-culture-2013/2012/10/15/29f404a8-1703-11e2-9855-71f2b202721b_story.html the former Foreign Affairs Minister Giulio Terzi] and [http://www.laquilablog.it/obama-litalia-superpotenza-culturale/48727-0409/ the U.S. President Barack Obama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226231012/http://www.arabnews.com/italy-cultural-superpower |date=26 December 2014 }}.</ref> Divided by politics and geography for centuries until [[Unification of Italy|its eventual unification in 1861]], Italy's culture has been shaped by a multitude of regional customs and local centres of power and [[patronage]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Killinger |first=Charles |title=Culture and customs of Italy |year=2005 |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westport, Conn. |isbn=978-0-313-32489-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00char/page/3 3] |edition=1. publ. |url=https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00char/page/3}}</ref> Italy has had a central role in Western culture for centuries and is still recognised for its cultural traditions and artists. During the [[Middle Ages]] and the [[Renaissance]], a number of [[Court (royal)|courts]] competed to attract architects, artists and scholars, thus producing a legacy of monuments, paintings, music and literature. Despite the political and social isolation of these courts, Italy has made a substantial contribution to the cultural and historical heritage of Europe.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cole |first=Alison |title=Virtue and magnificence : art of the Italian Renaissance courts |year=1995 |publisher=H.N. Abrams |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8109-2733-9}}</ref> The country has had a broad cultural influence worldwide, also because numerous [[Italians]] emigrated to other places during the [[Italian diaspora]].

The country boasts several world-famous cities. [[Rome]] was the ancient capital of the [[Roman Empire]], the seat of the [[Pope]] of the [[Catholic Church]], the capital of reunified Italy and the artistic, cultural and cinematographic centre of world relevance. [[Florence]] was the heart of the Renaissance, a period of great achievements in [[the arts]] at the end of the Middle Ages.<ref>Zirpolo, Lilian H. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QPqWxHwdMNAC&pg=PA154 ''The A to Z of Renaissance Art.''] Scarecrow Press, 2009. pp. 154-156. Web. 16 July 2012.</ref> Other important cities include [[Turin]], which used to be the capital of Italy and is now one of the world's great centres of automobile engineering. [[Milan]] is the industrial and financial capital of Italy and one of the world's [[fashion capital]]s. [[Venice]], the former capital of a [[Republic of Venice|major financial and maritime power]] from the Middle Ages to the early modern period, with its intricate canal system attracts tourists from all over the world, especially during the [[Venetian Carnival]] and the [[Biennale]]. [[Naples]], with the largest historic city centre in Europe and the oldest continuously active public opera house in the world ([[Teatro di San Carlo]]). [[Bologna]] is the main transport hub of the country, as well as the home of the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|oldest university in the world]] and of a [[Italian cuisine#Emilia-Romagna|worldwide famous cuisine]].<ref name="Top Universities">[http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2007/overall_rankings/worlds_oldest_universities/  Top Universities] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117202932/http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2007/overall_rankings/worlds_oldest_universities/ |date=17 January 2009 }} ''World University Rankings'' Retrieved 6 January 2010</ref>

Italian art has influenced several major movements throughout the centuries and has produced several great artists, including painters, architects and sculptors. Italy has a vast and important historical heritage,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.italiadiscovery.it/arte/italia-patrimonio-mondiale-dellumanita.html|title=√ ITALIA: PATRIMONIO MONDIALE DELL'UMANITA'|access-date=26 July 2019|language=it}}</ref> both in terms of the number of artefacts, as well as in terms of conservation, and in terms of intrinsic artistic-cultural value. For example, Italy boasts the largest number of sites indicated in the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage]] [[Lists of World Heritage Sites|List]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.it/cni/index.php/siti-italiani|title=CNI UNESCO – Siti Italiani|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504203029/http://www.unesco.it/cni/index.php/siti-italiani|archive-date=4 May 2016|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> In general, the Italian [[cultural heritage]] is the largest in the world since it consists of 60% to 75% of all the artistic assets that exist on each continent,<ref name="fattoquotidiano"/> with over 4,000 museums, 6,000 archaeological sites, 85,000 historic churches and 40,000 historic palaces, all subject to protection by the [[Ministry of Culture (Italy)|Italian Ministry of Culture]].<ref name="risparmiamocelo"/>

In 2013, the value of the artistic and cultural heritage alone was estimated at 5.4% of Italian [[GDP]], approximately [[Euros|€]]75.5 billion, capable of employing approximately 1.4 million workers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.symbola.net/html/article/IosonoculturaLItaliadellaqualitaedellabellezzasfidalacrisi |title=Io sono cultura – L'Italia della qualità e della bellezza sfida la crisi – Io sono cultura – L'Italia della qualità e della bellezza sfida la crisi|access-date=8 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220118/http://www.symbola.net/html/article/iosonoculturalitaliadellaqualitaedellabellezzasfidalacrisi |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead|language=it}}</ref> According to the [[Eurostat]] report of 2019, Italian tourism is first in Europe in terms of the number of jobs generated (4.2 million) and third for the average visitor expenditure and the share of revenues of the national sector compared to the European total (€48 billion, 12% of the total).<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.manageritalia.it/it/economia/lavori-turismo-italia | title = Il turismo in Italia: 4,2 milioni di posti di lavoro |archive-url = https://archive.today/20200108123910/https://www.manageritalia.it/it/economia/lavori-turismo-italia | archive-date = 8 January 2020 | url-status = dead | access-date = 8 January 2020|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| author = Mariangela Tessa | url = https://www.wallstreetitalia.com/turismo-italia-prime-nellue-per-posti-di-lavoro-impiegate-42-milioni-di-persone/ | title = Turismo: Italia prime nell'Ue per posti di lavoro, impiegate 4,2 milioni di persone | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200107150622/https://www.wallstreetitalia.com/turismo-italia-prime-nellue-per-posti-di-lavoro-impiegate-42-milioni-di-persone/ | archive-date =7 January 2020 | url-status= live|language=it}}</ref>

There are numerous [[technology park]]s in Italy such as the Science and Technology Parks Kilometro Rosso (Bergamo), the [[AREA Science Park]] (Trieste), The VEGA-Venice Gateway for Science and Technology (Venezia), the Toscana Life Sciences (Siena), the Technology Park of Lodi Cluster (Lodi), and the Technology Park of Navacchio (Pisa),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://easst.net/science-and-technology-parks-in-italy/|title=Science and Technology Parks in Italy}}</ref> as well as [[science museum]]s such as the [[Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci]] in [[Milan]], the [[Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano|Natural History Museum]] in Milan, the [[Città della Scienza]] in [[Naples]] and the [[Institute and Museum of the History of Science]] in [[Florence]].

===Seaside tourism===
[[File:Alimini Otranto.jpg|thumb|Seaside in [[Otranto]], [[Apulia]]]]
[[File:Cruise Ship Costa Serena sailing in front of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice - September 2010.jpg|thumb|A cruise ship near [[Venice]]]]
{{further|List of beaches in Italy}}

Four different seas surround Italy in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] from three sides: the [[Adriatic Sea]] in the east,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OFwkVgQNHlsC|title=Physical oceanography of the Adriatic Sea|first1=Benoit|last1=Cushman-Roisin|first2=Miroslav|last2=Gačić|first3=Pierre-Marie|last3=Poulain|isbn=978-1-4020-0225-0|year=2001|publisher=Springer |pages=1–2}}</ref> the [[Ionian Sea]] in the south,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://iho.int/uploads/user/pubs/standards/s-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |title=Limits of Oceans and Seas |edition=3rd |year=1953 |publisher=[[Organisation hydrographique internationale]] |access-date=28 December 2020 |issue=28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008191433/http://www.iho.int/iho_pubs/standard/S-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> and the [[Ligurian Sea]] and the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] in the west.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Tyrrhenian-Sea |title=Tyrrhenian Sea |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia Britannica]] |access-date=18 July 2017 |editor-last=Chisholm |editor-first=Hugh |editor-link=Hugh Chisholm |publisher=Cambridge University Press }}</ref> Including islands, Italy has a coastline of over {{Convert|8000|km|mi}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Piattaforma Tecnologica Nazionale Marittima|url=https://www.mit.gov.it/mit/mop_all.php?p_id=06441|access-date=28 May 2021|website=[[Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Italy)]]|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417025554/https://www.mit.gov.it/mit/mop_all.php?p_id=06441|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are numerous famous coastal stretches.<ref name="turismo">{{cite web|url=https://www.turismo.it/natura/multimedia/art/le-25-citt-costiere-pi-belle-ditalia-id-9203/|title=Le 25 città costiere più belle d'Italia|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Italian Riviera]] includes nearly all of the coastline of [[Liguria]], extending from the border with France near [[Ventimiglia, Italy|Ventimiglia]] eastwards to Capo Corvo, which marks the eastern end of the Gulf of [[La Spezia]].<ref>{{Cite book|first=Rosa |last=Baughan |year=1880 |title=Winter havens in the sunny South, a complete handbook to the Riviera |location=London |publisher=The Bazaar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zg8IAAAAQAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|first=Charles B. |last=Black |year=1887 |title=The Riviera, Or The Coast from Marseilles to Leghorn, Including Carrara, Lucca, Pisa, Pistoja and Florence |edition=Third |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Adam and Charles Black |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KKsaAAAAYAAJ }}</ref>  Italian coasts also include the [[Amalfi Coast]], [[Cilentan Coast]], [[Cinque Terre]], [[Coast of the Gods]], [[Costa Verde (Sardinia)|Costa Verde]], [[Riviera delle Palme (Marche)|Riviera delle Palme]], [[Riviera del Brenta]], [[Costa Smeralda]], and [[Trabocchi Coast]], in addition to the bays [[Venetian Lagoon]], [[Augusta Bay (Sicily)|Augusta Bay]], [[Bay of Naples]] and [[Liscia di Vacca]].

Notable beaches includes [[Baia Domizia]] in [[Sessa Aurunca]] and [[Cellole]], [[Citara]] in [[Forio]], [[Cala Fuili]] in [[Cala Gonone]], [[Poetto]] in [[Cagliari]], [[Spiaggia del Bacan]] in [[Venice]], Cala Goloritze in [[Baunei]], Baia delle Zagare in [[Vieste]], Cavoli Beach in [[Elba]], La Sorgente Beach in [[Portoferraio]], Cala dei Gabbiani in [[Baunei]], Cala Cipolla beach in [[Chia (Sardinia)|Chia]], Cauco Beach in [[Maiori]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/best-beaches-in-europe-2022/|title=The 22 Most Beautiful Beaches in Europe for 2022|access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref>

Noteworthy seaside locations includes [[Taormina]], [[Alghero]], [[Positano]], [[Otranto]], [[Tropea]], [[Porto Santo Stefano]], [[Sirolo]], [[Vieste]], [[Sperlonga]], [[Cesenatico]], [[Sestri Levante]], [[Vasto]], [[Termoli]], [[Maratea]], [[Bibione]], [[Muggia]], [[Amalfi]], [[Atrani]], [[Camogli]], [[Isola di Capo Rizzuto|Capo Rizzuto]], [[Castiglioncello]], [[Cefalù]], [[Gallipoli, Apulia|Gallipoli]], [[Lerici]], [[Manarola]], [[Monterosso al Mare]], [[Pisciotta]], [[Polignano a Mare]], [[Portofino]], [[Praiano]], [[Ravello]], [[Sciacca]], [[Scilla, Calabria|Scilla]], [[Sorrento]], [[Vernazza]].<ref name="turismo"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilturista.info/ch/vacanze_mare/italia/|title=Vacanze mare Italia|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Beaches and cliffs are dotted with various accommodation facilities, such as bathing establishments, hotels and restaurants, resorts, agritourism, night and day gathering centres, parks, piers and marinas, as well as numerous historic and artistic centres, which combine an interest in the bathing activities to those for leisure, nature and art.

The Italian seaports are docking points for cruise tourism.<ref name="lagenziadiviaggi">{{cite web|url=https://www.lagenziadiviaggi.it/crociere-cemar-88-milioni-di-passeggeri-nei-porti-italiani/|title=Crociere, Cemar: 8,8 milioni di passeggeri nei porti italiani|access-date=13 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> Italy is the leading cruise tourism destination in the Mediterranean Sea.<ref name="lagenziadiviaggi"/> Italian seaseaports most frequented by cruise passengers who sail the Mediterranean Sea are [[Civitavecchia]], [[Genoa]], [[Palermo]], [[Bari]], [[Naples]], [[Savona]], [[Trieste]], [[Monfalcone]], [[Taranto]] and [[La Spezia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shippingitaly.it/2021/10/21/crociere-nel-2021-litalia-con-27-milioni-di-passeggeri-tornera-leader-nel-mediterraneo/#:~:text=Stampa-,Secondo%20le%20proiezioni%20di%20Risposte%20Turismo%2C%20a%20fine%202021%20il,piena%20emergenza%20sanitaria%20Covid%2D19.|title=Crociere: nel 2021 l'Italia con 2,7 milioni di passeggeri torna leader nel Mediterraneo|access-date=27 May 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Lake tourism===
{{further|List of lakes of Italy}}
[[File:Italy - Sirmione.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sirmione]], on the shores of [[Lake Garda]]]]
[[File:Bellagio dal traghetto - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bellagio, Lombardy|Bellagio]], on the shores of [[Lake Como]]]]

There are [[List of lakes of Italy|more than 1000 lakes in Italy]],<ref name=Londrillo26>{{cite book |author=Antonio Londrillo |title=Alla scoperta della mia regione |language=it |publisher=Bulgarini |year=2004 |isbn=88-234-2327-9 |page=28}}</ref> the largest of which is [[Lake Garda|Garda]] ({{convert|370|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}). Other well-known subalpine lakes are [[Lake Maggiore]] ({{convert|212.5|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), whose most northerly section is part of Switzerland, [[Lake Como|Como]] ({{convert|146|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), one of the [[List of lakes by depth|deepest lakes]] in Europe, [[Lake Orta|Orta]], [[Lake Lugano|Lugano]], [[Lake Iseo|Iseo]], and [[Lake Idro|Idro]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Catherine Richards |title=Lake Como, Lake Lugano, Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda – The Italian Lakes |url={{Google books|ou6VJPNa_F0C |page=PA91 |keywords= |text= |plainurl=yes}}|date=2011|publisher=Hunter Publishing, Inc|isbn=978-1-58843-770-9|page=91}}</ref> Other notable lakes in the Italian peninsula are [[Trasimeno]], [[Lake Bolsena|Bolsena]], [[Lake Bracciano|Bracciano]], [[Lake Vico|Vico]], [[Lago di Varano|Varano]] and [[Lake Lesina|Lesina]] in [[Gargano]] and [[Lake Omodeo|Omodeo]] in Sardinia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Laghi italiani |publisher=Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia |url=http://www.iii.to.cnr.it/limnol/cicloac/lagit.htm |access-date=17 November 2006 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061012063939/http://www.iii.to.cnr.it/limnol/cicloac/lagit.htm | archive-date= 12 October 2006 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

Many Italian lakes are dotted with various accommodation facilities, such as hotels, restaurants and resorts, agritourism, parks, piers and marinas, as well as numerous historic and artistic centres. On the Italian lakes, it is possible to go [[windsurfing]], [[canoeing]] and [[sailing]], fishing and [[scuba diving]], while in their surroundings it is possible to go [[hiking]], either on foot or by bicycle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.italia.it/it/10-laghi-in-italia-per-una-vacanza-attiva|title=Dieci laghi italiani per trascorrere una vacanza attiva all'insegna dello sport|access-date=27 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> Lakeside noteworthy locations include [[Mergozzo]], [[Cannero Riviera]], [[Cannobio]], [[Avigliana]], [[Orta San Giulio]], [[Torno, Lombardy|Torno]], [[Bellano]], [[Menaggio]], [[Monzambano|Castellaro Lagusello]], [[Tignale]], [[Malcesine]], [[Gardone Riviera]], [[Molveno]], [[Tenno, Trentino|Tenno]], [[Ledro]], [[Panicale]], [[Bolsena]], [[Nemi]], [[Trevignano Romano]], [[Civitella Alfedena]] and [[Gavoi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.touringclub.it/itinerari-e-weekend/quali-sono-i-borghi-piu-belli-sui-laghi|title=Quali sono i borghi più belli sui laghi?|access-date=26 February 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Italian Lakes]] are provided with a navigation service by boats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/istituzionale/HP/DettaglioServizio/servizi-e-informazioni/Cittadini/Muoversi-in-Lombardia/Navigazione-laghi-fiumi-e-navigli/navigazione-laghi/navigazione-laghi|title=Navigazione laghi|access-date=8 May 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navigazioneorta.it/|title=Navigazione Lago d'Orta|access-date=8 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> By boat on [[Lake Maggiore]] it is possible to visit the [[Borromean Islands]], the [[Rocca Borromeo di Angera]], [[Laveno Mombello]], the [[Santa Caterina del Sasso]] and [[Luino]], while on [[Lake Iseo]] it is possible to visit [[Monte Isola]].<ref name="laghi-lombardi">{{cite web|url=https://www.in-lombardia.it/it/visitare-la-lombardia/vacanza-al-lago/gite-in-battello-sui-laghi-lombardi|title=In battello sui laghi lombardi|access-date=8 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> On [[Lake Como]] by boat it is possible to go to [[Como]], [[Lecco]], [[Varenna]], [[Bellagio, Lombardy|Bellagio]], [[Tremezzina]], [[Menaggio]] and [[Cernobbio]], while on [[Lake Garda]] it is possible to visit the [[Scaligero Castle (Sirmione)|Scaligero Castle]] and the [[Grottoes of Catullus]] of [[Sirmione]], and the [[Vittoriale degli italiani]] of [[Salò]].<ref name="laghi-lombardi"/> Also on [[Lake Orta]] there is a navigation service, thanks to which it is possible to visit the [[San Giulio Island]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navigazioneorta.it/cosa-vedere-lago-orta.html|title=Lago d'Orta: cose da vedere, persone da conoscere|access-date=8 May 2022|language=it}}</ref>

International lake tourism in Italy has been able to establish due to the sounding board created by some celebrities of the international [[jet set]], well known by the general public.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.quotidiano.net/magazine/turismo-laghi-instagram-1.6726517|title=Turismo, i laghi d'Europa più belli da postare su Instagram: tre sono italiani|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The purchase of a holiday residence along [[Lake Como]] by actor [[George Clooney]] was very publicized in 2001, as well as the marriage of [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Katie Holmes]] in 2006 in the [[Castello Orsini-Odescalchi]], along [[Lake Bracciano]].

===Mountain tourism===
[[File:Villnoess St Magdalena 1.JPG|thumb|The [[Dolomite Mountains]] in summer]]
[[File:Mount Vesuvius 07.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Vesuvius|Vesuvius]], the only active volcano in [[Continental Europe]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ingvvulcani.com/somma-vesuvio/|title=Somma - Vesuvio|access-date=21 February 2022|language=it}}</ref>]]
{{further|List of mountains in Italy|Settimana bianca|Volcanism of Italy}}
In Italy, there is both winter and summer mountain tourism. Despite a not particularly harsh climate compared to other countries located at more northern latitudes, Italy manages to attract tourists who practice winter sports due to the presence of numerous mountain ranges (the [[Geography of Italy|percentage of mountainous territory]] is around 35%).<ref name="Superficie">{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/137001#:~:text=La%20superficie%20complessiva%20dell'Italia,pianura%20(23%2C2%25).|title=Superficie territoriale per zona altimetrica|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Among these are the [[Alps]], the [[Geography of Europe|highest mountain range in Europe]], and the [[Apennines]], equipped with numerous winter sports and accommodation facilities. In the north the most famous ski resorts are in [[Sestriere]], [[Livigno]], [[Bormio]], [[Ponte di Legno]], in the [[Dolomites]] (especially [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]]), as well as in the [[Aosta Valley]] (especially [[Breuil-Cervinia]]), while in the center-south [[Abruzzo]] is the mountainous region with major ski resorts in [[Roccaraso]], [[Ovindoli]], [[Pescasseroli]] and [[Campo Felice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://luoghidavedere.it/luoghi-da-vedere-in-italia/luoghi-da-vedere-in-abruzzo/sciare-in-abruzzo-quali-sono-le-localita-abruzzesi-migliori-per-la-settimana-bianca_3800|title=Sciare in Abruzzo: quali sono le località abruzzesi migliori per la settimana bianca ?|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>  These resort usually offer to turists, among others, a package known as ''[[Settimana bianca]]'' ('white week'), a week-long retreat during the winter season.

As for mountain summer tourism, noteworthy locations includes [[Courmayeur]], [[Val di Fassa]], [[Abetone]] and [[Ceresole Reale]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agriturismo.it/it/extra/vacanze-ad-alta-quota:-5-localita-di-montagna-imperdibili-728|title=Vacanze ad alta quota: 5 località di montagna imperdibili|access-date=27 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> During the summer, in the Italian mountains, there are itineraries and paths, both on foot and by bicycle, where it is possible to admire naturalistic beauties, historic and artistic centres, glaciers, lakes, as well as practice numerous sports activities such as [[mountaineering]], [[paragliding]], [[rafting]] and [[hang gliding]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travel.thewom.it/italia/mete-di-montagna.html|title=LE METE DI MONTAGNA PIÙ INCREDIBILI D'ITALIA|access-date=27 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> In the Italian mountains there are a large number of agritourism locations, ''[[Baita (architecture)|baite]]'' and resorts, as well as hotels and restaurants.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agriturismo.farm/it/vacanze/montagna|title=Agriturismo in Montagna in Italia|access-date=28 February 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The [[volcanism of Italy]] is due chiefly to the presence, a short distance to the south, of the boundary between the [[Eurasian Plate]] and the [[African Plate]]. [[Italy]] is a [[Volcano|volcanically]] active country, containing the only active volcanoes in [[mainland Europe]] (while volcanic islands are also present in [[Greece]], in the [[South Aegean Volcanic Arc|volcanic arc of the southern Aegean]]). The active Italian volcanoes that attract tourists are [[Mount Etna|Etna]], [[Mount Vesuvius|Vesuvius]] and [[Stromboli]], while the extinct Italian volcanoes that are most visited by tourists are [[Monte Vulture]], [[Monte Amiata]] and [[Alban Hills]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.europcar.it/editorial/it/road-trip/il-grand-tour-dei-vulcani-scoprite-i-vulcani-dellitalia-551/|title=Il Grand tour dei vulcani: scoprite i vulcani dell'Italia|access-date=10 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Hill tourism===
{{further|List of hilltowns in Northern Italy|List of hilltowns in Central Italy|List of hilltowns in Southern Italy}}
[[File:Langhe.jpg|thumb|[[Langhe]] hills, [[Piedmont]]]]

Italy has a [[Geography of Italy|predominantly hilly territory]] (equal to 41.6% of the total area).<ref name="Superficie"/> The best known Italian hilly areas in the world are [[Langhe]], [[Montferrat]], [[Brianza]], [[Berici Hills]], [[Euganean Hills]], [[Chianti (region)|Chianti]], [[Colline Metallifere]], [[Alban Hills]], [[Gargano]] and [[Murge]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schededigeografia.net/Italia/Rilievi/colline_italiane.htm|title=LE COLLINE ITALIANE|access-date=28 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> while notable locations include [[Erice]], [[Civita di Bagnoregio]], [[Maratea]], [[Ravello]], [[Urbino]], [[Brisighella]], [[Cortona]], [[Asolo]], [[Ostuni]] and [[Cervo, Liguria|Cervo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.musement.com/it/10-dei-borghi-di-collina-piu-belli-ditalia/|title=10 DEI BORGHI DI COLLINA PIÙ BELLI D'ITALIA|access-date=28 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> The attraction of tourists to the Italian hills is mainly due to the mild climate, natural beauty and landscape, and historic and artistic centres, with agritourism, resorts, hotels and restaurants that are widespread in these territories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schededigeografia.net/Italia/Rilievi/ambiente_collinare_italiano.htm|title=L'AMBIENTE COLLINARE ITALIANO|access-date=28 February 2022|language=it}}</ref>

[[Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato]] is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] comprising "five distinct wine-growing areas with outstanding landscapes" plus the [[Castle of Grinzane Cavour]] in the [[Regions of Italy|region]] of [[Piedmont]], [[Italy]].<ref name=UNESCO>{{cite web|title=Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1390/|website=World Heritage Centre|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=29 June 2014}}</ref> The site, which extends over hilly areas of [[Langhe]] and [[Montferrat]], is one of the most important [[Piemonte (wine)|wine producing zones]] in Italy. Located in the centre of the Piedmont region (North-West of Italy), the site is inscribed as a "cultural landscape", since it is a result of the combined work of nature and man. The site is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List thanks to the outstanding value of its wine culture, which has shaped the landscape over the centuries.<ref name=paesaggivitivinicoli>{{cite web|title=Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato|url=http://www.paesaggivitivinicoli.it/index.php/en|publisher=Association for the Heritage of the Vineyard Landscape of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato|access-date=28 November 2014}}</ref> These sites are the result of a coexisting process between humans and the environment. As a result of its heartfelt attitude to the environment, this wine region has preserved an incredible cultural heritage that has become a model for other wine districts throughout the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.winetourism.com/unesco-protected-wine-heritage-italy/|title="Langhe-Roero and Monferrato"}}''Winetourism.com, Retrieved 12.05.2022''</ref>

===River and canal tourism ===
{{further|List of rivers of Italy|List of canals in Italy}}
[[File:Navigli di Milano Naviglio Grande a Gaggiano01.jpg|thumb|[[Naviglio Grande]] in [[Gaggiano]], [[Lombardy]]]]
Italian rivers and canals attract tourists, who can travel along them both in their navigable sections with [[houseboat]]s and ships, and in non-navigable sections thanks to the use of [[canoe]]s and [[kayak]]s.<ref name="sportoutdoor24">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportoutdoor24.it/viaggi/italia/i-fiumi-navigabili-in-italia-per-una-vacanza-in-houseboat/|title=I 7 fiumi navigabili in Italia per una vacanza in houseboat|access-date=7 May 2002|language=it}}</ref> Along the Italian rivers there are naturalistic beauties, villages and cities, historical monuments and [[pilgrimage]] routes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/vacanze-natura/fotonotizia/visitare-fiumi-piu-belli-italia-natura-percorsi-mozzafiato/319465/|title=Visitare i fiumi più belli d'Italia, tra natura e percorsi mozzafiato|access-date=7 May 2002|language=it}}</ref> Some Italian rivers such as the [[Ticino (river)|Ticino]], the [[Orba (river)|Orba]], the [[Dora Baltea]] and the [[Elvo]] stream are frequented by tourists who try their hand as amateur [[gold prospector]]s, given the presence in the form of specks of this metal in the waters of these waterways.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turismo.it/articolo/art/i-cercatori-doro-vanno-in-vacanza-id-2243/|title=I cercatori d'oro vanno in vacanza|access-date=7 May 2002|language=it}}</ref>

The most important Italian river that can be navigated is the [[Po (river)|Po]], which with its {{convert|652|km|abbr=on}} in length is the longest river in Italy and which is navigable from [[Turin]] to the mouth.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Along the Po there are 12 ports, 111 berths (3 in [[Piedmont]], 39 in [[Lombardy]], 36 in [[Emilia-Romagna]], 33 in [[Veneto]]) and about 20 river operators who provide boat rental services and organize excursions and river cruises.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Noteworthy is its delta mouth, which is one of the largest wetlands in Europe and the Mediterranean area, and which is rich in naturalistic beauties.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> From the river Po it is possible to reach, directly or indirectly by sailing along its tributaries, the cities of [[Cremona]], [[Mantua]], [[Parma]], [[Padua]] and [[Verona]].<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/>

The [[Brenta (river)|Brenta]] river is navigable from Padua to [[Venice]], where it has its mouth.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Another noteworthy Italian river is the [[Sile (river)|Sile]], which is navigable from [[Treviso]] to the mouth, which is located near [[Jesolo]].<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Also important is the network of rivers and artificial canals are present between [[Friuli-Venezia Giulia]] and the [[Venetian Lagoon]], which is formed by {{convert|109|km|abbr=on}} of navigable canals.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Also noteworthy is the Padana waterway, which connects Mantua to the sea via the [[Mincio]] river and the Po.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/>

As far as the navigable canals are concerned, worthy of note is the touristic navigation service of the Lombard [[Navigli]], which is an urban transport network in the [[Milan]] area integrated by some lines of boats along these canals.<ref name="regione.lombardia">{{cite web|url=https://www.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/istituzionale/HP/DettaglioAvviso/servizi-e-informazioni/cittadini/Muoversi-in-Lombardia/Navigazione-laghi-fiumi-e-navigli/navigazione-turistica-navigli-lombardi/navigazione-turistica-navigli-lombardi|title=Avviata la navigazione turistica in Darsena|access-date=7 May 2002|language=it}}</ref> The tourist lines connect the [[dock]] of Milan with numerous ''[[Comune|comuni]]'' that rise along the [[Naviglio Grande]] up to [[Abbiategrasso]] and [[Turbigo]].<ref name="regione.lombardia"/> Tourist navigation is also present along the [[Naviglio Martesana]], in the stretch from [[Trezzo sull'Adda]] to [[Vaprio d'Adda]].<ref name="regione.lombardia"/>

===Underwater tourism===
[[File:Parco archeologico di Baia - Ninfeo punta Epitaffio - statua Antonia Minore.jpg|thumb|Submerged Archaeological Park of [[Baiae]]]]
{{further|List of Marine Protected Areas of Italy}}
The [[List of Marine Protected Areas of Italy|Marine Protected Areas of Italy]] restrict human activity for a conservation purpose, to protect natural resources or archaeological sites. There were twenty-seven such [[marine protected areas]], and a further two "Submerged Archaeological Parks" (Italian: ''parchi sommersi''); in 2018, two new marine protected areas were created. these areas help safeguard in total some {{convert|228000|ha|km2}} of the seas around Italy as well as some {{convert|700|km}} of its coastline, corresponding to 12% of the Italian coasts.<ref name="uccellidaproteggere"/>

Underwater tourism, both of a naturalistic type and linked to [[underwater archaeology]], is also present.<ref name="viaggiarenews">{{cite web|url=https://www.viaggiarenews.com/2021/03/il-meglio-per-il-turismo-subacqueo-in-italia/|title=Il meglio per il turismo subacqueo in Italia|access-date=19 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> For the naturalistic underwater type, noteworthy seaside locations include the Portofino Marine Protected Area (located between the municipalities of [[Camogli]], [[Portofino]] and [[Santa Margherita Ligure]]), the [[island of Giglio]], the [[Capraia|island of Capraia]], and the [[Maddalena archipelago]].<ref name="viaggiarenews"/>

For the underwater archeology type, noteworthy seaside locations include [[Taormina]], [[Capo Passero]], [[Ustica]], [[Noto]], [[Marettimo]], [[Marzamemi]], [[Santa Maria di Castellabate]], [[Baiae]], [[Gaiola Island|Gaiola]], [[Ischia]], [[Campi Flegrei]], [[Pantelleria]], [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]], [[Gnatia]], [[Tremiti Islands]], [[Manduria]] and [[Isola di Capo Rizzuto]].<ref name="viaggiarenews"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2021/11/13/news/un_viaggio_unico_tra_bellezze_sommerse_dall_italia_la_spinta_per_un_itinerario_dei_siti_archeologici_subacquei_nel_mediterr-326223800/|title=Un viaggio unico tra bellezze sommerse: l'Italia lancia itinerario europeo nei parchi archeosub del Mediterraneo|access-date=19 January 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Notable Italian lakes that attract underwater tourism, both archaeological and naturalistic type, are [[Lake Iseo]], [[Lake Como]], [[Lake Garda]], [[Lake Maggiore]], [[Lake Idro]], [[Lago di Levico]], [[Lago di Lases]], [[Lago di Tovel]], [[Lago di Caldonazzo]], [[Avigliana|Lago Grande]] and [[Capestrano|Lake of Capodacqua]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ilsubacqueo.it/immersioni-nei-laghi-lombardi/|title=Immersioni Nei Laghi Lombardi|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yesmilano.it/articoli/sport-acquatici-sui-laghi-lombardi|title=SPORT ACQUATICI SUI LAGHI LOMBARDI|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trentino.com/it/sport-e-tempo-libero/attivita-sportive/immersione-subacquea/|title=Immersione subacquea|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laboratoriovalsusa.it/blog/valle-di-susa/il-lago-grande-di-avigliana-e-la-sua-ferrata-subacquea-oltre-2-km-di-percorsi|title=Il Lago Grande di Avigliana e la sua ferrata subacquea. Oltre 2 km di percorsi, dove "il nulla" è abbagliante|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.viaggipersub.it/prodotto/immersioni-nel-lago-di-capo-dacqua-in-abruzzo/|title=IMMERSIONI NEL LAGO DI CAPO D'ACQUA IN ABRUZZO|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Christmas, New Year's Eve and Easter tourism===
{{further|Christmas in Italy|Easter in Italy}}
[[File:Neve a Verona 17.01.2006 033.jpg|thumb|[[Christmas lights]] in [[Verona]], [[Veneto]]]]
[[File:Addolorata3.JPG|thumb|Easter ''Addolorata'' procession in [[Polistena]], [[Calabria]]]]

[[Christmas in Italy]] begins on 8 December, with the [[Feast of the Immaculate Conception]], a [[Public holidays in Italy|public holiday in Italy]] and the day on which traditionally the [[Christmas tree]] is mounted and ends on 6 January, of the following year with the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=November 25, 2013|title=The Best Christmas Traditions in Italy|url=https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/things-to-do/christmas-traditions-in-italy|access-date=January 26, 2021|website=Walks of Italy|language=en-GB}}</ref> 26 December ([[Saint Stephen's Day]], in Italian {{Lang|it|Giorno di Santo Stefano}}), is also a public holiday. The tradition of the [[nativity scene]] comes from Italy. What is considered the first nativity scene in history (a living nativity scene) was set up by [[St. Francis Of Assisi]] in [[Greccio]] in 1223.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Christmas in Italy|url=http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/italy.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051215093413/http://www.whychristmas.com:80/cultures/italy.shtml |archive-date=December 15, 2005 |access-date=January 26, 2021|website=Why Christmas}}</ref> It seems that the first [[Christmas tree]] in Italy was erected at the [[Quirinal Palace]] at the behest of [[Queen Margherita]], towards the end of the 19th century.<ref name=":2" /> In Italy, the oldest [[Christmas market]] is considered to be that of [[Bologna]], held for the first time in the 18th century and linked to the feast of [[Saint Lucy]].<ref name="Mercatini Italia">{{Cite web|url=https://corrieredibologna.corriere.it/bologna/cronaca/21_novembre_16/mercatini-natale-bologna-emilia-romagna-dove-sono-regole-visitarli-d06af226-4677-11ec-8ff0-74bdfd3715c3.shtml|title=Mercatini di Natale a Bologna e in Emilia-Romagna: dove sono e le regole per visitarli|access-date=1 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Italy is among the countries most visited in the world by tourists during the [[Christmas and holiday season|Christmas holidays]].<ref name="turismo-natale">{{cite web|url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/cronaca/turismo-natale-capodanno-dse8w416|title=Milano capitale europea del turismo: a Capodanno prima scelta per tedeschi, inglesi e portoghesi|access-date=2 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> The attraction factors are the not too harsh climate, the cultural offer of the cities including museums, exhibitions and party initiatives, the rich gastronomy as well as the more affordable prices compared to other countries.<ref name="turismo-natale"/> Italy is the second European country most visited by European tourists during the Christmas holidays behind [[Spain]] and ahead of [[Portugal]], [[France]] and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="turismo-natale"/> The Italian cities most visited by international tourists during the Christmas holidays are, in order, [[Milan]], [[Rome]], [[Naples]], [[Catania]], [[Palermo]] and [[Cagliari]].<ref name="turismo-natale"/> Milan, in particular, is the favourite destination by European tourists for [[Germans]], [[British people|British]] and [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] tourists and the second for [[French people|French]], [[Spaniards]] and [[Dutch people|Dutch]] tourists.<ref name="turismo-natale"/>

[[Easter in Italy]] ({{langx|it|Pasqua}}) is one of the [[public holidays in Italy|country's major holidays]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ellci.net/easter-how-does-italy-celebrate-this-festivity/|title=Easter: How does Italy celebrate this festivity?|access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> Easter in Italy enters [[Holy Week]] with [[Palm Sunday]], [[Maundy Thursday]], [[Good Friday]] and [[Holy Saturday]], concluding with [[Easter Day]] and [[Easter Monday]]. Each day has a special significance. Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world during the [[Easter]] holidays.<ref name="turismo-pasqua">{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/04/05/news/turismo_internazionale_e_finalmente_la_pasqua_del_boom_prenotazioni_su_del_29_roma_e_milano_strapiene-395032328/|title=Turismo internazionale, è finalmente la Pasqua del boom: prenotazioni su del 29%, Roma e Milano strapiene|access-date=4 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> Italy is the second European country most visited by international tourists during the Easter holidays behind [[Spain]] and ahead of [[France]] and [[Greece]].<ref name="turismo-pasqua"/> The Italian cities most visited by international tourists during the Easter holidays are, in order, [[Rome]], [[Milan]], [[Venice]], [[Naples]], [[Florence]] and [[Bologna]].<ref name="turismo-pasqua"/>

=== Shopping tourism ===
{{further|Italian fashion|History of Italian fashion}}
[[File:3665MilanoViaMontenapoleone.JPG|thumb|[[Via Monte Napoleone]], [[Quadrilatero della moda]], [[Milan]], [[Lombardy]]]]
Italy is also a destination for [[shopping]] tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enit.it/wwwenit/it/pressroomonline/comunicati-stampa/3149-enit-fashion-vogue-night-2019-dati-turismo-moda-spagnoli.html|title=LA MODA ATTRAE I TURISTI VERSO L'ITALIA ANCHE "FUORI STAGIONE"|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> [[Italian fashion]] has [[History of Italian fashion|a long tradition]]. The shops that attract the most tourists are those of clothing, leather goods and cosmetics and perfumery, while the most visited Italian cities for this type of tourism are, in descending order of visits, [[Milan]], [[Florence]], [[Rome]], [[Venice]] and [[Turin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infoiva.com/2017/12/turismo-shopping-italia.html|title=Turismo dello shopping: l'Italia in pole position|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

In Milan the most important shopping streets are [[Via Monte Napoleone]], [[Via della Spiga]], [[Via Manzoni]], [[Corso Venezia]], [[Via Sant'Andrea]], Corso Vittorio Emanuele, [[Corso Buenos Aires]], Corso di Porta Ticinese, Via Torino and Corso XXII Marzo,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fanpage.it/milano/le-10-vie-dello-shopping-di-milano/|title=Le 10 vie dello shopping di Milano|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> while in Florence they are [[Via de' Tornabuoni]], Via dei Calzaiuoli, Via del Corso, Mercato di San Lorenzo and Via Santo Spirito.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://firenzespecial.it/le-5-vie-dello-shopping-a-firenze/|title=Le 5 vie dello shopping a Firenze|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

In Rome the most important shopping streets are [[Via Condotti]], [[Piazza di Spagna]], [[Via del Babuino]], Via Borgognona, Via Frattina, [[Via del Corso]], Via del Campo Marzio, Via del Pellegrino, Via del Boschetto, Via Cola di Rienzo, Via del Governo Vecchio, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, Via Appia Nuova and Via Tuscolana,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fanpage.it/roma/le-10-vie-dello-shopping-di-roma/|title=Le 10 vie dello shopping di Roma|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>  while in Venice they are Le Mercerie, [[Piazza San Marco]], Campo San Paolo, [[Burano]] and [[Murano]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fashionblog.it/post/381435/venezia-e-lo-shopping-le-vie-migliori-della-citta|title=Venezia e lo shopping, le vie migliori della città|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

In Turin the most important shopping streets are Via Garibaldi, Contrada dei Guardinfanti, Galleria Subalpina, Via Roma, [[Piazza San Carlo]] a large number of visitors for, Piazza Carignano, Via Cesare Battisti, Piazza Carlo Alberto, Piazza Bodoni, Via Mazzini, Via Lagrange, Via Carlo Alberto, Piazza Carlo Felice, Via Po and Piazza Vittorio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tolove.it/blog/index.php/itinerari-classici/tra-arte-e-moda/|title=Le vie dello shopping|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Shopping tourism in Italy is also aimed at [[outlet store]]s. The outlets that attract the most tourists are located in [[Serravalle Scrivia]], [[Castel San Pietro Romano]], [[Barberino di Mugello]], [[Noventa di Piave]] and [[Marcianise]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/idee-di-viaggio/migliori-destinazioni-italia-shopping/218095/|title=Le migliori destinazioni d'Italia per lo shopping tourism|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Spa tourism===
{{main|Category:Spa towns in Italy|l1 = Spa towns in Italy}}
[[File:Cascate del Mulino - Saturnia Terme - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Spa in [[Saturnia]], [[Tuscany]]]]

Italy has one of the largest number of [[spa]]s in the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/il-benessere-genera-53percento-pil-mondiale-e-italia-e-boom-spa-e-turismo-wellness-AEeHWMLG|title=Il benessere genera il 5,3% del Pil mondiale: e in Italia è boom per Spa e turismo "wellness"|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> and are appreciated internationally for the quality and effectiveness of the services and treatments offered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://viaggi.corriere.it/itinerari-e-luoghi/gallery/spa-17-mete-spettacolari-in-italia-e-in-europa/|title=Spa spettacolari in Italia e in Europa per tutte le stagioni|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> This is also due to secondary volcanic phenomena that give rise to the emission of water, vapours and mud enriched by substances present in the Italian subsoil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schededigeografia.net/Italia/Storia_geologica_Italia/vulcanismo_secondario_italia.htm|title=IL VULCANESIMO SECONDARIO IN ITALIA|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Its origins are very remote, it is known that the [[Ancient Rome|ancient Greeks]] had already discovered its healing properties,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.termedistigliano.it/it/le-terme-nella-storia/|title=Le Terme nella Storia|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> but the greatest admirers of antiquity were undoubtedly the [[Ancient Rome|ancient Romans]] who made it an aspect of their social life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.termedistigliano.it/it/storia-terme-romane-antica-roma/|title=Viaggio nella storia delle terme romane: dall'antica Roma a oggi|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The most renowned Italian spas are located in the localities of [[Abano Terme]], [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]], [[Bibione]], [[Chianciano Terme]], [[Montepulciano]], [[Saturnia]], [[Montecatini Terme]], [[Contursi Terme]], [[Castellammare di Stabia]], [[Bagni San Filippo]], [[Sirmione]], [[Bormio]], [[Viterbo]], [[Pantelleria]], [[Vulcano]], [[Montegrotto Terme]], [[Pescantina]], [[Salsomaggiore Terme]] and [[Ischia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.splendidoviaggio.it/turismo-termale/|title=Turismo termale in Italia, trend in crescita|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilturista.info/blog/14010-Le_10_migliori_terme_in_Italia_le_localita_termali_da_non_perdere_/|title=Le 10 migliori terme in Italia: le località termali da non perdere|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Wedding tourism===
[[File:Amalfi Coast from boat.jpg|thumb|[[Positano]], [[Campania]]]]

Italy is the second-most popular destination in the world for wedding tourism after the [[Maldives]] and before [[Bali]].<ref name="turismo-wedding">{{cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/canale_viaggiart/it/notizie/speciali/2023/02/01/turismo-wedding-2-milioni-presenze-e-fatturato-599-mln_dcec4ad9-3ab8-4677-a303-6378020ac3a7.html|title=In Italia 11mila matrimoni stranieri, un turismo da 599 milioni|access-date=2 February 2023|language=it}}</ref> In 2022, 11,000 weddings were celebrated in Italy by foreign citizens who came to stay in the country to organize the wedding ceremony.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/> The length of stay of married couples and their guests to the ceremony is on average 3.3 nights.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/> In 2022, there were a total of 619,000 arrivals and over 2 million tourists connected to wedding tourism, with a turnover of around €599 million.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/> Italy hosts three of the top five European honeymoon destinations for wedding tourists: [[Positano]], [[Rome]] and the [[Amalfi Coast]].<ref name="turismo-wedding"/>

The Italian region chosen for marriage in Italy by foreign couples the most was [[Tuscany]], with 21% of the total, followed by [[Lombardy]], [[Campania]], [[Apulia]], [[Sicily]], [[Lazio]] and [[Piedmont]].<ref name="turismo-wedding"/><ref name="wedding-italia"/>

In 2022, 57% of marriages celebrated in Italy by foreign couples were connected to spouses and guests from other European countries, while the main country of origin (29.2%) of foreign couples who decided to celebrate their wedding in Italy was the United States, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany and France.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/><ref name="wedding-italia">{{cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/turismo-states-toscana-sposarsi-e-boom-wedding-italia-AEaJGQfC|title=Turismo, dagli States alla Toscana per sposarsi: è boom del wedding in Italia|access-date=2 February 2023|language=it}}</ref> Domestic wedding tourism is also noteworthy, given that in 2022 there were around 7,160 weddings of Italian couples celebrated in a region other than their own.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/>

Weddings of famous foreign couples include those between [[David Bowie]] and [[Iman Abdulmajid]] in Florence in the American church of San Giacomo, between [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Katie Holmes]] on [[Lake Bracciano]], between [[George Clooney]] and [[Amal Alamuddin]] at [[Palazzo Papadopoli]] in Venice, between [[Kim Kardashian]] and [[Kanye West]] at [[Belvedere (fort)|Forte Belvedere]] in Florence and between [[Justin Timberlake]] and [[Jessica Biel]] at [[Borgo Egnazia]] in Apulia.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/>

===Religious tourism===
{{further|List of cathedrals in Italy|Via Francigena}}
[[File:PonteSantAngeloRom.jpg|thumb|[[St. Peter's Basilica]] viewed from the [[Tiber]]; the [[Vatican Hill]] in the back and [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] in [[Rome]] to the right. Both the basilica and the hill are part of the [[United Nations General Assembly observers|sovereign state]] of [[Vatican City]], the [[Holy See]] of the [[Catholic Church]].]]
[[File:Via Francigena - Ariano Irpino, località Sprinia.jpeg|thumb|The [[Via Francigena]] in [[Ariano Irpino]], [[Campania]]]]
There are numerous [[pilgrimage]] destinations in Italy, first of all [[Rome]], the residence of the [[Pope]] (who is its [[bishop]]) and the seat of the [[Catholic Church]]. The city is a pilgrimage destination especially during the main events of Catholic religious life, especially during the [[Jubilee in the Catholic Church|Jubilees]]. Although his figure is not officially recognized by the faithful of other [[Christianity|Christian denominations]], the presence of the Pope in Rome also attracts others and is an important figure within the Christian creed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.improntalaquila.com/2016/02/13/90100/|title=Summit storico tra i fratelli Papa Francesco e Sua Santità il Patriarca Kirill di Mosca e di tutte le Russie|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome]] are [[Basilica of St. John Lateran]] ([[Basilicas in the Catholic Church#Major and papal basilicas|Major Papal archbasilica]]), [[St. Peter's Basilica]] (Major Papal basilica), [[Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls]] (Major Papal basilica), [[Basilica of St. Mary Major]] (Major Papal basilica), [[Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls]] (Minor Papal basilica), [[Santa Croce in Gerusalemme|Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem]] ([[Basilicas in the Catholic Church#Minor basilicas|Minor basilica]]), [[Santuario della Madonna del Divino Amore|Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love]] ([[Shrine]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://civitavecchia.portmobility.it/en/itinerari/two-or-more-days/jubilee-2015-visiting-seven-major-churches-rome|title=Jubilee 2015: visiting the Seven Major Churches of Rome|date=2015-07-05|access-date=2016-09-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Churches and Basilicas in Rome| url=http://www.aboutroma.com/churches-of-Rome.html| work=ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITY OF ROME| access-date=24 December 2021}}</ref> In addition to the [[Holy See]], there are numerous pilgrimage sites given by the presence of [[relic]]s and remains of important figures linked to Christianity, rather than by the memory of events that have occurred that the faithful consider [[Miracle|miraculous]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/i-santuari-e-i-pellegrinaggi_%28Cristiani-d%27Italia%29/|title=I santuari e i pellegrinaggi|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Notable churches that are a destination for pilgrimages, in addition to [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in [[Rome]], include [[Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina]] in [[San Giovanni Rotondo]], [[Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi]], [[Basilica della Santa Casa]] in [[Loreto, Marche|Loreto]], [[Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei]], [[Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua]], [[Madonna delle Lacrime, Siracusa|Basilica santuario Madonna delle Lacrime]] in [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]], [[Monte Berico|Church of St. Mary of Mount Berico]] in [[Vicenza]], [[Basilica of San Vitale]] in [[Ravenna]], [[Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo]] in Ravenna and [[Madonna di San Luca, Bologna|Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca]] in [[Bologna]].<ref name="adnkronos">{{cite web|url=https://www.adnkronos.com/turismo-religioso-in-italia-3-milioni-di-pellegrini-lanno-e-8-6-milioni-di-presenze_4xRvus8qO3yR7wEXF8bhrF?refresh_ce|title=Turismo religioso, in Italia 3 milioni di pellegrini l'anno e 8,6 milioni di presenze|access-date=30 March 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Via Francigena]] is an ancient road and [[Christian pilgrimage|pilgrimage route]] running from the [[cathedral city]] of [[Canterbury]] in England, through France and Switzerland, to [[Rome]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Secular pilgrims: why ancient trails still pack a spiritual punch |last=Stanford |first=Peter |newspaper=The Observer |date=28 March 2021 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/mar/28/secular-pilgrims-why-ancient-trails-still-pack-a-spiritual-punch}}</ref> and then to [[Apulia]], Italy, where there were ports of embarkation for the [[Holy Land]].<ref name=stopani>{{cite web|url=http://www.viefrancigenedelsud.it/static/uploads/vfs/storia_renato_stopani_-_la_via_appia_traiana_nel_medioevo.pdf|editor=Centro Studi Romei|author=Renato Stopani|title=La via Appia Traiana nel Medioevo|trans-title=Via Appia Traiana in the Middle Age|website=Vie Francigene del Sud|page=4|date=1992|language=Italian|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-date=11 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011130618/http://www.viefrancigenedelsud.it/static/uploads/vfs/storia_renato_stopani_-_la_via_appia_traiana_nel_medioevo.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In [[medieval]] times it was an important road and [[pilgrimage]] route for those wishing to visit the [[Holy See]] and the tombs of the [[Apostles in the New Testament|apostle]]s [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Paul the Apostle|Paul]]. Today the Via Francigena is travelled by pilgrims, especially in the last stretch of the road, the one in Italian territory.<ref name="adnkronos"/> Along the Via Francigena there are numerous places of worship such as sanctuaries, convents and churches that attract pilgrims and tourists, also for their artistic and architectural beauties.<ref name="adnkronos"/>

The ''Cammino Celeste'' ("Celestial Way") is also very popular with pilgrims.<ref name="adnkronos"/> It is a network of pilgrimage routes that connects the places of worship of [[Aquileia]] in Italy, [[Maria Saal]] in Austria and Brezje in Slovenia with the Sanctuary of Monte Lussari, located in the [[Julian Alps]] in the Italian municipality of [[Tarvisio]], made official as an international pilgrimage route in the summer of 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turismofvg.it/it/90342/L-Iter-Aquileiense-Cammino-Celeste|title=L'Iter Aquileiense - Cammino Celeste|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913182415/http://www.turismofvg.it/it/90342/L-Iter-Aquileiense-Cammino-Celeste|url-status=dead|language=it}}</ref> Its name derives from the union of the numerous places of ancient [[Veneration of Mary in the Catholic Church|Marian devotion]] it passed through.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.camminoceleste.eu/camita/antico/antico.php|title=Antico cammino patriarcale|access-date=6 July 2017|language=it}}</ref>

===Naturalistic tourism===
{{further|Fauna of Italy|Flora of Italy|Italian garden|List of botanical gardens in Italy|List of gardens in Italy|List of national parks of Italy|List of regional parks of Italy|List of Marine Protected Areas of Italy|List of caves in Italy}}
[[File:Sentieri tra le foreste casentinesi.jpg|thumb|[[Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna National Park|Casentinesi Forests]], [[Emilia-Romagna]]]]
[[File:Decollo - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Flamingo]]s in the [[River delta|delta]] of the [[Po (river)|Po river]]]]
[[File:Castellana's caves wolf.jpg|thumb|right|[[Castellana Caves]], [[Apulia]]]]
In Italy, there are several protected areas of various types: natural, mountain or marine parks, regional or local parks, and natural, wildlife or zoological reserves. In addition to this, there are numerous natural sites not necessarily protected by a park.

The parks of Italy include areas of land, sea, rivers and their banks, lakes and their environs which have environmental or naturalistic importance and are often valued for their landscape features and for representing particular local traditions. [[List of national parks of Italy|National parks of Italy]] cover about 5% of the country,<ref>{{cite web |title=National Parks in Italy |publisher=Parks.it |date=1995–2010 |url=http://www.parks.it/indice/NatParks.html |access-date=15 March 2010|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329203159/http://www.parks.it/indice/NatParks.html |archive-date=29 March 2010}}</ref> while the total area protected by national parks, [[List of regional parks of Italy|regional parks of Italy]] and nature reserves covers about 10.5% of the Italian territory,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/regione-e-aree-protette_%28L%27Italia-e-le-sue-Regioni%29/|title=Regione e aree protette|access-date=11 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> to which must be added 12% of coasts protected by [[List of Marine Protected Areas of Italy|Marine Protected Areas of Italy]].<ref name="uccellidaproteggere">{{cite web|url=http://www.uccellidaproteggere.it/La-conservazione/Cosa-fa-l-Italia-Le-azioni/Le-aree-protette-in-Italia|title=Le aree protette in Italia|access-date=2 March 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Italy has one the highest levels of [[Fauna of Italy|fauna]]l [[biodiversity]] in Europe, with over 57,000 species recorded, representing more than a third of all European fauna.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/allegati/biodiversita/italian_fifth_report_cbd.pdf |title=Italy's Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity |publisher=Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea |access-date=17 May 2015|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518094031/http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/allegati/biodiversita/italian_fifth_report_cbd.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2015|page=7}}</ref> The [[fauna of Italy]] includes 4,777 [[Endemism|endemic]] animal species,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://faunaitalia.it/documents/CKmap_ITA.pdf|title=CHECKLIST E DISTRIBUZIONE DELLA FAUNA ITALIANA|page=29|access-date=10 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> which include the [[Sardinian long-eared bat]], [[Corsican red deer|Sardinian red deer]], [[spectacled salamander]], [[brown cave salamander]], [[Italian newt]], [[Italian stream frog|Italian frog]], [[Apennine yellow-bellied toad]], [[Italian wall lizard]], [[Aeolian wall lizard]], [[Sicilian wall lizard]], [[Italian Aesculapian snake]], and [[Sicilian pond turtle]]. In Italy there are 119 [[List of mammals of Italy|mammals species]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mite.gov.it/sites/default/files/archivio/biblioteca/qcn_14.pdf|title=Mammiferi d'Italia - Ministero della Transizione Ecologica|page=7|access-date=11 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> 550 [[List of birds of Italy|bird species]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/uccelli/|title=Uccelli|access-date=11 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> 69 [[List of reptiles of Italy|reptile species]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/advanced_search?location=italy&submit=Search |title=Distribution: italy |author=Peter Uetz |author2=Jakob Hallermann |author3=Jiri Hosek |date= |work=The Reptile Database |access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref> 39 [[List of amphibians of Italy|amphibian species]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legambienteanimalhelp.it/anfibi-autoctoni/|title=Quali sono gli anfibi autoctoni?|access-date=11 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> 623 fish species<ref name="fishbase">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fishbase.us/country/CountryChecklist.php?what=list&trpp=50&c_code=380&csub_code=&cpresence=present&sortby=alpha2&vhabitat=all2|title=All fishes reported from Italy|access-date=10 March 2022}}</ref> and 56,213 invertebrate species, of which 37,303 insect species.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cittametropolitana.mi.it/gev/dove_operiamo/index.html|title=Dove operiamo|access-date=11 March 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The [[flora of Italy]] was traditionally estimated to comprise about 5,500 [[vascular plant]] species.<ref>Pignatti, S. (1982). ''Flora d'Italia''. Edagricole, Bologna, vol. 1–3, 1982</ref> However, {{As of|2005|lc=y}}, 6,759 species are recorded in the ''Data bank of Italian vascular flora''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.openstarts.units.it/dspace/bitstream/10077/3767/1/Guarino%20et%20al,%20bioidentify.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226162840/https://www.openstarts.units.it/dspace/bitstream/10077/3767/1/Guarino%20et%20al%2C%20bioidentify.pdf |url-status=dead |title=Riccardo Guarino, Sabina Addamiano, Marco La Rosa, Sandro Pignatti ''Flora Italiana Digitale'':an interactive identification tool for the Flora of Italy |archive-date=26 December 2016}}</ref> Italy has 1,371 endemic plant species and subspecies,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/view/phytotaxa.168.1.1|title=An inventory of vascular plants endemic to Italy|access-date=12 March 2022}}</ref> which include [[Abies nebrodensis|Sicilian Fir]], [[Barbaricina columbine]], [[Sea marigold]], [[Santolina pinnata|Lavender cotton]] and [[Viola ucriana|Ucriana violet]].

Italy has many [[List of botanical gardens in Italy|botanical gardens]] and [[List of gardens in Italy|historic gardens]], some of which are known outside the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://initalia.virgilio.it/i-parchi-fioriti-e-gli-orti-botanici-piu-belli-ditalia-3693|title=I parchi fioriti e gli orti botanici più belli d'Italia|access-date=14 March 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.casevacanza.it/idee/i-giardini-piu-belli-d-italia|title=Top10: i giardini più belli d'Italia|access-date=15 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> The [[Italian garden]] is stylistically based on symmetry, axial geometry and on the principle of imposing order over nature. It influenced the [[history of gardening]], especially [[French garden]]s and [[English garden]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tuttogreen.it/giardino-all-italiana/|title=Alla scoperta delle meraviglie del giardino all'italiana|access-date=28 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> The Italian garden was influenced by [[Roman garden]]s and [[Italian Renaissance garden]]s.

The [[List of caves in Italy|Italian caves]] attract around 1.5 million tourists every year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lastampa.it/viaggi/italia/2017/04/27/news/l-italia-sotterranea-dei-turisti-speleologi-1.34624954/|title=L'Italia sotterranea dei turisti speleologi|access-date=7 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> Main concentration of Italian caves is close to the [[Alps]] and the [[Apennins]], principally due to [[Karst topography|karst]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilmeteo.net/notizie/scienza/alla-scoperta-delle-grotte-italia-turistiche-visitabili.html|title=Alla scoperta delle grotte visitabili d'Italia|access-date=7 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> Notable Italian caves are [[Castellana Caves]], [[Frasassi Caves]], [[Pertosa Cave]], [[Giant Cave]], [[Castelcivita Cave]], [[Toirano Caves]], [[Pastena Caves]], [[Borgio Verezzi Caves]], [[Grotto Calgeron]], [[Grotta del Cavallone]], [[Ear of Dionysius]], [[Grotta del Gelo]], [[Grotta di Ispinigoli]], [[Paglicci Cave]], [[Grotta dell'Addaura]], [[Arene Candide]], [[Castelcivita Caves]], [[Fumane Cave]], [[Neptune's Grotto]], [[Nereo Cave]], [[Pertosa Caves]], [[Grotta dello Smeraldo]] and [[Blue Grotto (Capri)|Blue Grotto]].

===Business tourism===
[[File:Fieramilanocity.jpg|thumb|[[Fiera Milano]]]] 
[[File:Vinitaly 2011 inside exhibition hall.jpg|thumb|[[Vinitaly]]]]
[[File:Salone nautico 47 Genova 05.jpg|thumb|[[Genoa International Boat Show]]]]
[[File:Milan Fashion Week 2.jpg|thumb|[[Milan Fashion Week]]]]
[[File:Lucca Comics 2010 - 03.jpg|thumb|[[Lucca Comics & Games]]]]
Business tourism enlivens entrances to the country and constitutes a fundamental part of the sector. Businessmen who travel to Italy also take advantage of their stay to visit the country.<ref name="hcchotels.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.hcchotels.com/it/blog/sette-consigli-utili-per-un-viaggiatore-daffari/|title=Sette consigli utili per un viaggiatore d'affari|access-date=11 August 2022|language=it}}</ref> This type includes those who use the accommodation facilities for business trips or to participate in events related to the production or marketing of various goods developed within the most disparate economic sectors. Businessmen who travel to Italy also take advantage of their stay to visit the country.<ref name="hcchotels.com"/> By way of example, some events that attract businessmen to Italy are reported:

* the [[Fiera Milano]] is a [[trade fair]] and [[exhibition]] organiser headquartered in [[Milan]]. The firm is the most important trade fair organiser in Italy and one of the largest in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Milano ha la FIERA più grande d'Europa|url=https://www.milanocittastato.it/evergreen/forse-non-sapevi-che/la-fiera-piu-vasta-deuropa/|access-date=19 October 2011|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Milan Motorcycle Show]], one of the most important exhibitions in the world dedicated to motorcycles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motociclismo.it/milano-capitale-mondiale-della-moto-moto-57048|title=Milano capitale mondiale della moto|access-date=26 July 2019|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Venice Film Festival]] is the oldest film festival in the world and one of the "[[Film festival#Notable festivals|Big Three]]" alongside [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]] and [[Berlin International Film Festival|Berlin]].<ref name=VeniceFilmFest>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-unveils-lineup-720770 |title=Venice: David Gordon Green's 'Manglehorn,' Abel Ferrara's 'Pasolini' in Competition Lineup |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |last=Anderson |first=Ariston|date=24 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218220740/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-unveils-lineup-720770 |archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/3291348/addio-lido-last-postcards-from-the-venice-film-festival/ |title=Addio, Lido: Last Postcards from the Venice Film Festival |magazine=Time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920162423/http://time.com/3291348/addio-lido-last-postcards-from-the-venice-film-festival/ |archive-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
* the [[Milan Furniture Fair]] is the most important showcase for the interiors and furnishings of the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/economia/boeri-salone-mobile-1.6350097|title=Salone del Mobile 2021, Stefano Boeri sarà il curatore della fiera che si terrà a settembre|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Milan Fashion Week]], held twice a year, is one of the most important worldwide<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lifeandpeople.it/2017/08/03/fashion-week-nel-mondo/|title=Fashion Week: le quattro settimane della moda nel mondo|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Genoa International Boat Show]], one of the world's premier [[boat show]]s, held every year towards the end of September.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smart.comune.genova.it/comunicati-stampa-articoli/inaugurato-il-61%C2%B0-salone-nautico-internazionale|title=Inaugurato il 61° Salone Nautico Internazionale|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Euroflora]], held in [[Genoa]] every five years, is the most important floral festival in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://video.repubblica.it/edizione/genova/genova-parte-euroflora-viaggio-nell-esposizione-floreale-piu-grande-d-europa/302818/303454|title=Genova, parte Euroflora: viaggio nell'esposizione floreale più grande d'Europa|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Terra Madre Salone del Gusto]] in [[Turin]] is an international [[gastronomy]] exhibition held every two years.
* the [[Turin International Book Fair]] is one of the largest book fairs in [[Europe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wuz.it/Home/AnsaNews/tabid/65/newsid/31237/Default.aspx|title=Fiera del libro: 300.000 visitatori|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.lingottofiere.it/news/it-593/salone-del-libro-2015-si-chiude-con-341-000-presenze-e-15-di-vendite-per-gli-editori| title = SALONE DEL LIBRO 2015: SI CHIUDE CON 341.000 PRESENZE E +15% DI VENDITE PER GLI EDITORI – LINGOTTO FIERE TORINO| access-date = 2016-02-28|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Lucca Comics & Games]] is an annual [[Comic book convention|comic book]] and [[gaming convention]] in [[Lucca]], the most important exhibition in Europe and second in the world after the [[Comiket]] in [[Tokyo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicsviews.it/2014/11/news-i-numeri-di-lucca-comics-2014.html|title=I numeri di Lucca 2014|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref name="I numeri di Lucca 2015">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicsviews.it/2015/11/news-i-numeri-di-lucca-comics-2015.html|title=I numeri di Lucca 2015|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Vinitaly]] is an international [[wine competition]] and [[Trade fair|exposition]] that is held annually in April in [[Verona]]. VinItaly has been called the "most important convention of domestic and international wines"<ref>Rick Steves ''"[https://books.google.com/books?id=0aF5kMsBcDIC&dq=VinItaly&pg=PA194 Rick Steve's Italy 2013]"'' pg 194, Avalon Travel, Jan 8, 2013</ref> and the "largest wine show in the world".<ref>Marc Vetri, David Joachim ''"[https://books.google.com/books?id=JccF30nq8QwC&dq=VinItaly&pg=PA142 Rustic Italian Food]"'' pg 142, Random House LLC, Nov 1, 2011</ref><ref>C. Michael Hall, Liz Sharples ''"[https://books.google.com/books?id=YdsTuxwo3sAC&dq=VinItaly&pg=PA13 Food and Wine Festivals and Events Around the World]"'' pg 13, Routledge, Jun 14, 2012</ref>
* the [[Bologna Children's Book Fair]] is the leading professional fair for children's books in the world.<ref>{{cite book|last=Falconer|first=Rachel|title=The crossover novel: contemporary children's fiction and its adult readership|publisher=Taylor & Francis|date=2008|volume=2008|pages=263|isbn=978-0-415-97888-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kw4IlZ3NIYgC&q=bologna+%22children%27s+book+fair%22&pg=PA17|access-date=24 March 2010}}</ref> It is held yearly for four days in March or April in [[Bologna]]
* the [[Milano Monza Open-Air Motor Show]] is an annual [[auto show]] held in June 2021 in Milan and [[Monza]], Italy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Milano Monza Open-Air Motor Show |url=https://www.milanomonza.com/ |accessdate=3 October 2020 |agency=milanomonza.com |publisher=milanomonza.com |date=3 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Milano, Il salone Open-Air Motor Show entra in città |url=https://www.repubblica.it/motori/sezioni/attualita/2020/09/10/news/milano_monza_open-air_motor_show_lo_spettacolo_entra_in_citta_-266820737/ |accessdate=3 October 2020 |agency=repubblica.it |publisher=repubblica.it |date=3 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Milano Monza Motor Show Il Salone all'aperto è spostato in autunno: ecco le nuove date |url=https://www.quattroruote.it/news/eventi/2020/04/09/milano_monza_motor_show_il_salone_all_aperto_e_spostato_in_autunno_ecco_le_nuove_date.html |accessdate=3 October 2020 |agency=quattroruote.it |publisher=quattroruote.it |date=9 April 2020}}</ref>
* the [[Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este]] is a [[Concours d'Elegance]] event in Italy for [[classic car|classic]] and [[vintage car]]s. It takes place annually near the [[Villa d'Este (Cernobbio)|Villa d'Este]] hotel in [[Cernobbio]], on the western shore of [[Lake Como]]. Since 2011, the event has taken place in the second half of May.
* the [[Festival della Scienza|Genoa Science Festival]] is an annual [[science festival]] held in [[Genoa]] since 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/10/25/stregati-dallo-spettacolo-della-scienza.html|title=Stregati dallo spettacolo della scienza|date=25 October 2003 |access-date=19 June 2022|language=it}}</ref> In 2006, the year in which it had 250,000 visits,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/enforcement/repubblica/2007/06/15/tommy-poggio-battezza-il-festival.html|title=Tommy Poggio battezza il Festival|access-date=19 June 2022|language=it}}</ref> the Genoa Science Festival has been selected, the only Italian initiative, among the ten best events selected in 31 countries in the field of the promotion of culture [[science|scientific]] and [[technology|technological]] at European level.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2007/09/29/tra-ruggiti-vulcani-crimini-streghe-cinque-sensi.html|title=Tra ruggiti e vulcani, crimini e streghe i cinque sensi in trionfo|date=29 September 2007 |access-date=19 June 2022|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Pitti Immagine]] is a collection of [[fashion]] industry events in  [[Italy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittimmagine.com/en/corporate.html|title=Pitti Immagine|access-date=27 July 2013}}</ref> Pitti Immagine, is one of the world's most important platforms for men's clothing and accessory collections, and for launching new projects in men's fashion. It's held twice yearly in [[Florence]], at the [[Fortezza da Basso]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittimmagine.com/en/corporate/fairs/uomo/exhibitors.html?a=0&p=&g=|title=List of Exhibitors|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref> The first edition of Pitti Immagine was held in Florence in September 1972.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sonya Glyn Nicholson|url=http://parisiangentleman.co.uk/2016/01/18/10-takeaways-from-pitti-uomo-89-aw-16/|title=10 Takeaways from Pitti Uomo 89 (A/W 16)|access-date=18 January 2016}}</ref>
* the [[EuroChocolate]] is an annual [[chocolate]] festival that takes place in [[Perugia]], the capital of the [[Umbria]] region in central [[Italy]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Torquati |first1=Biancamaria |editor1-last=Cavicchi |editor1-first=Alessio |editor2-last=Santini |editor2-first=Cristina |title=Food and Wine Events in Europe: A Stakeholder Approach |date=2014 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781317751939 |chapter=Eurochocolate: An instrument of valorization for Perugia and its territory}}</ref> The festival has been held since 1993, and is one of the largest chocolate festivals in [[Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Umbria |first1=Bella |last2=Filomena |first2=Str Santa |last3=Fax: 0744 431492 |first3=38 Terni TR 05100 Italy-Tel: 0744 471502- 0744 436456- 0744 431492 |title=Eurochocolate Perugia: the most delicious festival in Italy |url=http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/eurochocolate/ |access-date=16 June 2022|website=Bella Umbria |language=en-EN}}</ref>
* the [[Giffoni Film Festival]] is one of the most well-known children's film festivals in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilmattino.it/spettacoli/cinema/giffoni_day_successo_regioni_italiane-6044490.html|title="Giffoni Day", un grande successo: 11 città coinvolte in otto regioni italiane|date=25 June 2021|access-date=17 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> It takes place in a small Italian town of [[Giffoni Valle Piana]] in [[Campania]], close to [[Salerno]] and [[Naples]]. The Giffoni Film Festival has had a great impact in the history of entertainment and culture, not only in Italy, and it has developed a high reputation internationally.<ref name="gff-274">{{cite web|title=What the stars say about us |url=http://www.giffoniff.it/en/pageview2.php?i=274 |publisher=Giffoni Film Festival |location=Giffoni Valle Piana (SA) Italy |format=PHP |access-date=25 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122093023/http://giffoniff.it/en/pageview2.php?i=274 |archive-date=22 November 2010}}</ref>
* the [[Ambrosetti Forum]] organized by The European House – Ambrosetti, a consulting firm – is an annual international economic conference held at [[Villa d'Este (Cernobbio)|Villa d'Este]], in the [[Italy|Italian]] town of [[Cernobbio]] on the shores of [[Lake Como]]. Since its inception in 1975, the Forum has brought together [[head of state|heads of state]], [[Minister (government)|minister]]s, [[Nobel laureate]]s and [[Businessperson|businesspeople]] to discuss current challenges to the world's [[economies]] and [[societies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/indepth/ambrosetti2007|title=Villa d'Este International Workshop|publisher=Financial Times|accessdate=6 September 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081017053340/http://www.ft.com/indepth/ambrosetti2007| archivedate= 17 October 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://securingamerica.com/node/203|title=Ambrosetti Forum|publisher=SecuringAmerica.com|accessdate=6 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201091702/http://securingamerica.com/node/203|archive-date=1 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Food and wine tourism===
{{further|Italian cuisine|Italian wine|Italian meal structure}}
[[File:Espaguetis carbonara.jpg|thumb|''[[Spaghetti]] alla [[carbonara]]'']]
[[File:Salumi e vino lucchese.JPG|thumb|[[Italian wine]] and ''[[salumi]]'']]
[[File:Tiramisu - Raffaele Diomede.jpg|thumb|''[[Tiramisu]]'']]
[[File:Antica trattoria Bagutto.jpg|thumb|The [[Antica trattoria Bagutto]] in Milan, the oldest restaurant in Italy and the second in Europe.<ref name="localistorici"/>]]
[[Italian cuisine]] is one of the best known and most appreciated [[Gastronomy|gastronomies]] worldwide.<ref>For example, in 2019, the American network [[CNN]] ranked first in a ranking of the best cuisines in the world; see: {{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/world-best-food-cultures/index.html|title=Which country has the best food?|date=12 July 2017 |access-date=14 November 2021}}. According to a survey conducted by the British company of [[Marketing research|market analysis]] YouGov, out of 24 countries, was the most internationally appreciated gastronomy with 84% of total preferences; see: {{Cite web|url=https://it.yougov.com/news/2019/03/12/la-cucina-italiana-votata-come-la-migliore-cucina-/|title=Sondaggio YouGov:l'84% delle persone nel mondo preferisce la cucina italiana|access-date=14 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> Italian cuisine includes deeply rooted traditions common to the whole country, as well as all the [[Regions of Italy|regional]] gastronomies, different from each other, especially between [[Northern Italy|the north]] and [[Southern Italy|the south]] of Italy, which is in continuous exchange.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|author=Related Articles |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/718430/Italian-cuisine |title=Italian cuisine |encyclopedia=Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |date=2 January 2009 |access-date=24 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indigoguide.com/italy/food.htm |title=Italian Food – Italy's Regional Dishes & Cuisine |publisher=Indigoguide.com |access-date=24 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102020059/http://www.indigoguide.com/italy/food.htm |archive-date=2 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rusticocooking.com/regions.htm |title=Regional Italian Cuisine |publisher=Rusticocooking.com |access-date=24 April 2010}}</ref> Many dishes that were once regional have proliferated with variations throughout the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.viedelgusto.it/piccola-storia-della-cucina-italiana/|title=Cronistoria della cucina italiana|access-date=13 November 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/scoperta-e-invenzione-della-cucina-regionale_%28L%27Italia-e-le-sue-Regioni%29/|title=Piatti regionali a diffusione nazionale|access-date=13 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> Italian cuisine offers an abundance of taste, and is one of the most popular and copied around the world.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13760559 |title=How pasta became the world's favourite food |publisher=BBC |date=15 June 2011 |access-date=28 September 2014}}</ref> Italy is the world's [[Italian wine|largest producer of wine]], as well as the country with the widest variety of indigenous [[Vitis|grapevine]] varieties in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.inumeridelvino.it/2018/11/la-produzione-di-vino-nel-mondo-2018-prima-stima-oiv.html|title=L'Italia è il maggiore produttore di vino|date=25 November 2018 |access-date=11 November 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://giornalevinocibo.com/2017/06/03/italia-prima-assoluta-per-vitgni-autoctoni-ecco-i-dati-dei-vari-stati/|title=L'Italia è il paese con più vitigni autoctoni al mondo|date=3 June 2017|access-date=11 November 2021|language=it}}</ref>

One of the main characteristics of Italian cuisine is its simplicity, with many dishes made up of few ingredients, and therefore Italian cooks often rely on the quality of the ingredients, rather than the complexity of preparation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://it.latuaitalia.ru/food-n-wine/intervista-esclusiva-allo-chef-carlo-cracco-la-cucina-e-cultura/|title=Intervista esclusiva allo chef Carlo Cracco: "La cucina è cultura"|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.incibum.it/storia-della-cucina-italiana/|title=Storia della cucina italiana: le tappe della nostra cultura culinaria|date=25 May 2019|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref> The most popular dishes and recipes, over the centuries, have often been created by ordinary people more so than by [[chef]]s, which is why many Italian recipes are suitable for home and daily [[cooking]], respecting regional specificities, privileging only raw materials and ingredients from the region of origin of the dish and preserving its seasonality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cibo360.it/cucina/mondo/cucina_italiana.htm|title=Individualità territoriale e stagionalità nella cucina italiana|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gqitalia.it/lifestyle/food-drinks/2016/12/02/le-5-regole-fondamentali-della-cucina-italiana|title=Regole e stagionalità della cucina italiana|date=2 December 2016|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sololibri.net/Le-ricette-della-nonna-Alla.html|title=Nonne come chef|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref>

[[Italian meal structure]] is typical of the [[Mediterranean Basin|European Mediterranean]] region and differs from North, Central, and Eastern European meal structure, though it still often consists of [[breakfast]] (''colazione''), [[lunch]] (''pranzo''), and [[supper]] (''cena'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.studiare-in-italia.it/php5/study-italy.php?idorizz=5&idvert=62|title=Mangiare all'italiana|access-date=12 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> However, much less emphasis is placed on breakfast, and breakfast itself is often skipped or involves lighter meal portions than are seen in non-Mediterranean Western countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/news/in-primo-piano/colazioni-strane-nel-mondo/|title=Colazioni da incubo in giro per il mondo|date=29 March 2016|access-date=12 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> Late-morning and mid-afternoon snacks, called ''[[merenda]]'' (plural ''merende''), are also often included in this meal structure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/cook/news/cards/merenda-abitudine-tutta-italiana-cinque-ricette-salutari-tutta-famiglia/merenda-come-deve-essere_principale.shtml|title=Merenda, una abitudine tutta italiana: cinque ricette salutari per tutta la famiglia|date=12 August 2021 |access-date=12 November 2021|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Mediterranean diet]] forms the basis of Italian cuisine, rich in [[pasta]], fish, fruits and vegetables.<ref>The Silver Spoon {{ISBN|88-7212-223-6}}, 1997 ed.</ref> [[List of Italian cheeses|Cheese]], [[salumi|cold cuts]] and [[Italian wine|wine]] are central to Italian cuisine, and along with [[pizza]] and [[coffee]] (especially [[espresso]]) form part of Italian [[gastronomic]] culture.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marshall |first=Lee |title=Italian coffee culture: a guide |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/6246202/Italian-coffee-culture-a-guide.html |access-date=5 September 2013 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=30 September 2009|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010212148/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/6246202/Italian-coffee-culture-a-guide.html |archive-date=10 October 2013}}</ref> Desserts have a long tradition of merging local flavours such as [[citrus fruits]], [[pistachio]] and [[almonds]] with sweet cheeses like [[mascarpone]] and [[ricotta]] or exotic tastes as cocoa, vanilla and cinnamon. [[Gelato]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Jewkes |first=Stephen |title=World's first museum about gelato culture opens in Italy |url=http://www.timescolonist.com/life/travel/world-s-first-museum-about-gelato-culture-opens-in-italy-1.15866 |access-date=5 September 2013 |newspaper=[[Times Colonist]] |date=13 October 2012|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016062518/http://www.timescolonist.com/life/travel/world-s-first-museum-about-gelato-culture-opens-in-italy-1.15866 |archive-date=16 October 2013}}</ref> [[tiramisù]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Squires |first=Nick |title=Tiramisu claimed by Treviso |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10261930/Tiramisu-claimed-by-Treviso.html |access-date=5 September 2013 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=23 August 2013|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829091009/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10261930/Tiramisu-claimed-by-Treviso.html |archive-date=29 August 2013}}</ref> and [[cassata]] are among the most famous examples of Italian desserts, cakes and patisserie.

Italian cuisine relies heavily on traditional products; the country has a large number of [[List of Italian products with protected designation of origin|traditional specialities]] protected under [[Geographical indications and traditional specialities in the European Union|EU law]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Keane |first=John |title=Italy leads the way with protected products under EU schemes |url=http://www.bordbia.ie/industryservices/information/alerts/Pages/ItalyleadsthewaywithprotectedproductsunderEUschemes.aspx |publisher=[[Bord Bia]] |access-date=5 September 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329075250/http://www.bordbia.ie/industryservices/information/alerts/Pages/ItalyleadsthewaywithprotectedproductsunderEUschemes.aspx |archive-date=29 March 2014}}</ref> From the 1950s onwards, a great variety of typical products of Italian cuisine have been [[List of Italian products with protected designation of origin|recognized as PDO, PGI, TSG and GI]] by the [[Council of the European Union]], to which they are added to the ''[[Indicazione geografica tipica]]'' (IGT), the [[Regions of Italy|regional]] {{lang|it|[[Prodotti agroalimentari tradizionali]]}} (PAT) and the [[Comune|municipal]] ''[[Denominazione comunale d'origine]]'' (De.C.O.).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/309|title=Lista dei prodotti italiani riconosciuti come: DOP, IGP, STG, IG e PAT|access-date=29 November 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arsacweb.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20-De.Co_..pdf|title=Lista dei prodotti italiani riconosciuti come: De.CO|access-date=29 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> In the [[Oenology|oenological]] field, there are specific legal protections: the ''[[Denominazione di origine controllata]]'' (DOC) and the ''[[Denominazione di origine controllata#Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita (DOCG)|Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita]]'' (DOCG).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.webfoodculture.com/vini-doc-docg-prima-parte/|title=DOC e DOCG in Italia|access-date=29 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> [[Protected designation of origin]] (PDO) and [[Geographical indications and traditional specialities in the European Union|Protected Geographical Indications]] (PGI) have also been established in olive growing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cittadellolio.it/2019/07/23/olio-dop-e-igp-in-italia/|title=Oli DOP e IGP in Italia|access-date=29 November 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Milan is home to the oldest restaurant in Italy and the second in Europe, the [[Antica trattoria Bagutto]], which has existed since at least 1284.<ref name="localistorici">{{Cite web|url=http://www.localistorici.it/it/Schede/view/tipo/locali-storici/categorie/per-anno-di-fondazione_1200-1299/slug/antica-trattoria-bagutto|title=Antica trattoria Bagutto|access-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130430180217/http://www.localistorici.it/it/Schede/view/tipo/locali-storici/categorie/per-anno-di-fondazione_1200-1299/slug/antica-trattoria-bagutto|archive-date=30 April 2013|language=it}}</ref> The cuisine is therefore often a reason for tourism in the peninsula, perhaps combined with one or more reasons previously described.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://winenews.it/it/cibus-tour-e-city-tour-proposta-integrata-di-promozione_287939/|title=CIBUS TOUR E CITY TOUR, PROPOSTA INTEGRATA DI PROMOZIONE DEL TERRITORIO: IL TEATRO SARA' PARMA (7/10 NOVEMBRE)|date=November 2002 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> There are countless food festivals and fairs spread throughout the area, from small agricultural centres to large metropolises.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conoscounposto.com/sagre-in-lombardia-e-piemonte-10-appuntamenti-per-lautunno-2021/|title=Sagre in Lombardia e Piemonte: 10 appuntamenti per l'autunno 2021|date=16 September 2021 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The hospitality sector is slowly updating by including cultural food and wine elements in its offer to tourists, both in traditional hotels and in specially created structures such as [[agritourism]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/lifestyle/tempo-libero/soggiorni-gourmet-in-lombardia-5-indirizzi-immersi-nel-verde/|title=Soggiorni gourmet in Lombardia, 5 indirizzi immersi nel verde|date=8 July 2020 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> In 2018 the food and wine expenditure by foreign tourists amounted to 9.23 billion euros, with an average expenditure of 117 euros each.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coldiretti.it/economia/turismo-14-spesa-stranieri-al-ristorante|title=Banca d'Italia turismo internazionale, 1/4 della spesa stranieri al ristorante|access-date=26 July 2019|language=it}}</ref>

===Sports tourism===
{{further|Sport in Italy}}
[[File:Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90 holds off Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W10, 2019 Italian Grand Prix, Monza, 8th September.jpg|thumb|[[2019 Italian Grand Prix]]]]
[[File:Adriano score vs Milan February 2009.jpg|thumb|right|[[Derby della Madonnina]] (15 February 2009)]]
[[File:Giro d'Italia 2017, dumoulin pozzovivo (34766910580).jpg|thumb|Starting in 1909, the [[Giro d'Italia]] is the [[Grand Tour (cycling)|Grands Tours]]' second oldest.<ref name="Union Cycliste Internationale">{{cite web |url=http://www.uciprotour.com/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTcxNw&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=34028&LangId=1 |title=Union Cycliste Internationale|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114060844/http://www.uciprotour.com/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTcxNw&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=34028&LangId=1 |archive-date=14 November 2012|access-date=11 January 2017}}</ref>]]

[[Sport in Italy]] has a long tradition. In several sports, both individual and team, Italy has good representation and many successes. [[Football in Italy|Football]] is the most popular sport in Italy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson |first=Bill |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26351331 |title=BBC News – Italian football counts cost of stagnation |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=10 March 2014 |access-date=12 June 2015}}</ref> Italy has won four FIFA World Cups championship ([[1934 FIFA World Cup|1934]], [[1938 FIFA World Cup|1938]], [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982]] and [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]]), and is (along with [[Germany national football team|Germany]]) currently the second most successful football team in World Cup history, after [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]. [[Basketball]], [[volleyball]], and [[cycle sport|cycling]] are the next most popular/played sports, with Italy having a rich tradition in all three. Italy also has strong traditions in [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[water polo]], [[rugby union]], [[tennis]], [[sport of athletics|athletics]], [[fencing]], and [[Formula One]].

Tourism linked to sporting events is capable of attracting fans of various disciplines who, in several cases, then decide to stay to visit the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.webitmag.it/grandi-eventi-dello-sport-grandi-occasioni-per-il-turismo_3003/|title=Grandi eventi dello sport, grandi occasioni per il turismo|date=21 March 2014 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> In addition to events of a global nature, capable of attracting a large number of visitors for a longer period of time (among the major ones the [[1960 Summer Olympics]], the [[2006 Winter Olympics]] and the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]]), minor events also contribute to the development of this factor of tourism, such as individual international matches of various sports (for example the home matches of Italy during the [[Six Nations Championship]] or the matches of clubs of various sports involved in continental competitions) or tournaments of more local importance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imprese.regione.emilia-romagna.it/turismo/temi/osservatorio-regionale-sul-turismo/analisi-di-sistema-propedeutico-alla-fattibilita-di-un-modello-organizzativo-per-l2019acquisizione-e-la-promozione-di-eventi-sportivi-per-l2019emilia-romagna|title=Le potenzialità del Turismo Sportivo in Emilia e Romagna|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Serie A]] is a professional league competition for [[Association football|football]] clubs located at the top of the [[Italian football league system]] and the winner is awarded the [[Scudetto]] and the [[Coppa Campioni d'Italia]]. Serie A is regarded as one of the best football leagues in the world and it is often depicted as the most tactical and defensively sound national league.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.sportfive.com/index.php?id=1182| title = The Big Five Leagues| access-date = 19 June 2022| archive-date = 24 September 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104651/http://www.sportfive.com/index.php?id=1182| url-status = dead}}</ref> Serie A was the world's strongest national league in 2020 according to [[IFFHS]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 January 2021|title=IFFHS World's Best National League in the World 2020|url=https://www.iffhs.de/index.php/posts/911|access-date=21 January 2021|website=[[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]]}}</ref> and is ranked third among European leagues according to [[UEFA coefficient|UEFA's league coefficient]], behind [[La Liga]] and the [[Premier League]] and ahead of the [[Bundesliga]] and [[Ligue 1]], which is based on the performance of Italian clubs in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and the [[UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] during the previous five years. Serie A led the UEFA ranking [[UEFA coefficient#Men's Association coefficient|from 1986 to 1988 and from 1990 to 1999]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ita/honours/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209055123/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ITA/honours/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 February 2010|title=Member associations - Italy - Honours –|publisher=[[UEFA|uefa.com]]}}</ref>

The [[Italian Grand Prix]] is the fifth oldest national [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix]] (after the [[French Grand Prix]], the [[United States Grand Prix|American Grand Prize]], the [[Spanish Grand Prix]] and the [[Russian Grand Prix]]), having been held since 1921. In 2013 it became the most-held Grand Prix (the [[2021 Italian Grand Prix|2021 edition]] was the 91st). It is one of the two Grands Prix (along with the [[British Grand Prix|British]]) which has run as an event of the [[Formula One]] World Championship Grands Prix every season, continuously since the championship was introduced in 1950. Every Formula One Italian Grand Prix in the World Championship era has been held at [[Autodromo Nazionale di Monza|Monza]] except in [[1980 Italian Grand Prix|1980]], when it was held at [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari|Imola]].

The [[Giro d'Italia]] is an annual [[stage race|multiple-stage]] [[bicycle racing|bicycle race]] primarily held in [[Italy]], while also starting in, or passing through, other countries.<ref name="Livestrong Giro Info">{{cite news|url=http://www.livestrong.com/article/344716-the-history-of-the-giro-ditalia/|title=The History of the Giro d'Italia.|author=Gregg Seltzer|publisher=Livestrong|date=26 May 2011|access-date=30 July 2012}}</ref> The first race was organized in [[1909 Giro d'Italia|1909]] to increase sales of the newspaper ''[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]'';<ref name="Livestrong Giro Info"/><ref name="larousse1">{{cite web|url=http://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/divers/Tour_dItalie/147186 |language=fr |title=Tour d'Italie ou Giro d'Italia|publisher=Larousse.fr |date=30 March 2012 |access-date=10 August 2012|trans-title=Tour of Italy or Giro d'Italia}}</ref> and is still run by [[RCS Sport|a subsidiary of that paper's owner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bikeraceinfo.com/giro/giro1909.html#story |title=1909 Giro d'Italia |work= Bike Race Info |publisher=Dog Ear Publishing |last1=McGann |first1=Bill |last2=McGann |first2=Carol |access-date=30 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcsmediagroup.it/wps/portal/mg/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3iXgBDLkGBLIwN_P29nA6MAj8DAYGcvA29Dc6B8JIq8oQFQ3sTfwNTJwwjIJE23v6eLgZFlWKCns5epoburGQHdfh75uan6BbmhEeWOiooAtx-tyg!!/dl2/d1/L0lDUmlTUSEhL3dHa0FKRnNBL1lCUlp3QSEhL2Vu/?wai= |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218181017/http://www.rcsmediagroup.it/wps/portal/mg/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3iXgBDLkGBLIwN_P29nA6MAj8DAYGcvA29Dc6B8JIq8oQFQ3sTfwNTJwwjIJE23v6eLgZFlWKCns5epoburGQHdfh75uan6BbmhEeWOiooAtx-tyg!!/dl2/d1/L0lDUmlTUSEhL3dHa0FKRnNBL1lCUlp3QSEhL2Vu/?wai= |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2013 |title=RCS Sport |work=RCSMediaGroup |publisher=RCS MediaGroup S.p.A. |date=24 January 2013 |access-date=20 June 2013 }}</ref> The Giro is a [[UCI World Tour]] event, which means that the teams that compete in the race are mostly [[UCI WorldTeam]]s, with some additional teams invited as 'wild cards'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUyMjQ |title=2012 – 2013 UCI Road Calendar |publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale |access-date=6 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217144300/http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUyMjQ |archive-date=17 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= Nigel Wynn |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/530629/uci-worldtour-calendar-2012.html |title=UCI WorldTour calendar 2012 |work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Limited|date=2 November 2011|access-date=6 August 2012}}</ref> Starting in 1909, the Giro d'Italia is the [[Grand Tour (cycling)|Grands Tours]]' second oldest.<ref name="Union Cycliste Internationale"/>

The [[Mille Miglia]] was an open-road, [[motorsport]] [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance race]] established in 1927 by the young Counts Francesco Mazzotti and Aymo Maggi, which took place in [[Italy]] twenty-four times from 1927 to 1957 (thirteen before [[World War II]], eleven from 1947).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grandprixhistory.org/mille_miglia_history.htm |title=Mille Miglia |date=November 2007 |publisher=grandprixhistory.org |access-date=18 August 2018 }}</ref> From 1953 until 1957, the Mille Miglia was also a round of the [[World Sports Car Championship]]. Since 1977, the "Mille Miglia" has been reborn as a [[regularity race]] for [[Classic car|classic]] and [[vintage car]]s. Participation is limited to cars, produced no later than 1957, which had attended (or were registered to) the original race. The route (Brescia–Rome round trip) is similar to that of the original race, maintaining the point of departure/arrival in Viale Venezia in [[Brescia]].

===Traditions tourism===
[[File:Venice Carnival - Masked Lovers (2010).jpg|thumb|[[Carnival of Venice]]]]
[[File:Palio di Siena - Assunta 2011 - Torre 2.jpg|thumb|[[Palio di Siena]]]]
{{further|Traditions of Italy}} 
[[Traditions of Italy]] are some set of [[tradition]]s, [[belief]]s, [[value (ethics)|value]]s, and [[Convention (norm)|custom]]s that belongs within the [[Culture of Italy|culture]] of [[Italian people]]. These traditions have influenced life in Italy for centuries, and are still practised in our modern days.

Notable traditional Italian events that attract tourists are the celebrations of the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] in Rome, the [[Festival of Saint Agatha (Catania)|Festival of Saint Agatha of Catania]], the [[Scoppio del carro]] in Florence, the Fish Festival of [[Camogli]], the [[Infiorate di Spello]], the Festival of [[Saint Rosalia]] of [[Palermo]], the [[Notte della Taranta]] of [[Salento]], the Chilli Festival of [[Diamante, Calabria|Diamante]], the Grape Festival of [[Marino, Lazio|Marino]], the [[Christmas market]]s of [[Trentino-Alto Adige]], the [[Nativity play]] of [[Sassi di Matera]], the [[Battle of the Oranges]] of [[Ivrea]], Almond Blossom Festival of [[Agrigento]], Tulip Festival of [[Castiglione del Lago]], [[May Day]] of [[Assisi]], Festival of the Knot of Love of [[Valeggio sul Mincio]], Medieval Festivals of [[Brisighella]], [[Prosciutto di San Daniele]] Festival of [[San Daniele del Friuli]], [[Festa del Redentore]] of [[Venice]], [[Macchina di Santa Rosa]] of [[Viterbo]], Rice Fair of [[Isola della Scala]], [[Barcolana regatta]] of [[Trieste]], [[Regatta of the Historical Marine Republics]] and Nougat Festival of [[Cremona]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destinazioneavventura.it/12-imperdibili-eventi-della-tradizione-in-italia/|title=12 imperdibili eventi della tradizione in Italia|access-date=13 April 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.expedia.it/stories/16-feste-e-sagre-in-italia-per-scoprire-le-tradizioni-locali-2/|title=16 Feste e dagre in Italia per scoprire le tradizioni locali|access-date=15 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

[[Carnival in Italy]] plays a very important role in [[Italian folklore]], traditionally linked to regional masks, and is celebrated in many cities, some of which are known throughout the world for the special celebrations they organize for this occasion. The [[Carnival in Venice]] was first documented in 1296, with a proclamation by the [[Venetian Senate]] announcing a public festival the day before the start of [[Lent]]. Today, about 3 million people travel to Venice to take part in the famous Carnival.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/whats-with-those-mysterious-masks-the-dark-drama-of-venice-carnival/index.html|title=What's with those mysterious masks? The dark drama of Venice Carnival|last=Adams|first=William Lee|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=4 March 2014}}</ref> The [[Carnival of Viareggio]] is the second-most popular in Italy. The first Carnival of Viareggio parade was held in 1873.<ref name="IlCarnevale History">{{cite web |url=https://viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/en/la-storia/storia-e-tradizione/ |title=Timeline: the moments not to forget |website=viareggio.ilcarnevale.com|access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref> Every year, the Carnival of Viareggio attracts more than 500,000 spectators.<ref name="Morgans">{{cite web | last=Morgans | first=Katie | title=Why You Need To See The "Carnival of Viareggio" Float Parade | website=The Italy Edit | date=7 February 2024 | url=https://www.theitalyedit.com/carnival-of-viareggio/ | access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> The [[Carnival of Ivrea]] is famous for its "Battle of the Oranges" fought with fruit between the people on foot and the troops of the tyrant on carts, to remember the wars of the Middle Ages,<ref name="storicocarnevaleivrea">{{cite web |title=The Carnival of Ivrea - History |url=https://www.storicocarnevaleivrea.it/the-carnival/storia/?lang=en |website=Storico Carenevale di Ivrea |access-date=16 June 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809144133/http://www.storicocarnevaleivrea.it/the-carnival/storia/?lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> allegory of struggle for freedom. It is the largest [[food fight]] in Italy and surrounding countries.<ref name="spiegel">{{cite news  | title = Italy's Biggest Battle of the Oranges  | work = [[Der Spiegel]]  | date = 8 June 2008  | url = http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,570471,00.html  | accessdate = 15 February 2010  | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100329152408/http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0%2C1518%2C570471%2C00.html  | archivedate = 29 March 2010  | url-status = live}}</ref> 

Traditional sports also attract tourists in Italy, such as the [[Palio]], the name given in the country to an annual athletic contest, very often of a historical character, pitting the neighbourhoods of a town or the hamlets of a ''[[comune]]'' against each other. Typically, they are fought in costume and commemorate some event or tradition of the [[Middle Ages]] and thus often involve [[horse racing]], [[archery]], [[jousting]], [[crossbow]] shooting, and similar medieval sports.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediterraneaonline.eu/sport-dal-medioevo/|title=SPORT DAL MEDIOEVO|access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> The [[Palio di Siena]] is the only one that has been run without interruption since it started in the 1630s and is definitely the most famous all over the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/it/lifestyle/viaggi/a27599643/palio-di-siena-storia-date-curiosita/|title=Il Palio di Siena tra luci e ombre|date=June 2019 |access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> attracting tourists from every continent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/idee-di-viaggio/siena-toscana/214412/#:~:text=Il%20Palio%20di%20Siena%20attira,prenotare%20tutto%20con%20molto%20anticipo.|title=Siena: Palio e non solo|access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Another traditional Italian sport that attracts tourists is the [[Calcio Fiorentino]] (also referred to as ''calcio storico'', "historic football"), an early form of [[football]] ([[soccer]] and [[Rugby football|rugby]]) that originated during the [[Middle Ages]] and is still played annually today in the [[Piazza Santa Croce]] in  [[Florence]].<ref>Calcio storico fiorentino ieri e oggi by L.Artusi, S. Gabbrielli, SP 44. 1989</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destinationflorence.com/it/blog/282-calcio-storico-fiorentino-tradizione-e-quartieri|title=CALCIO STORICO FIORENTINO, TRADIZIONE E QUARTIERI|access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> Other important Italian traditional competitions that attract tourists are the [[Palio di Asti]], the [[Palio di Legnano]], the [[Palio of Ferrara|Palio di Ferrara]], the [[Saracen Joust|Giostra del Saracino]] and the [[Giostra della Quintana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/idee-di-viaggio/siena-e-non-solo-viaggio-tra-i-palii-e-le-giostre-ditalia/203431/|title=Siena e non solo: viaggio tra i palii e le giostre d'Italia|date=8 May 2018 |access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===UNESCO World Heritage Sites tourism===
{{further|List of World Heritage Sites in Italy}}
[[File:Agrigent BW 2012-10-07 13-10-58.jpg|thumb|[[Temple of Concordia, Agrigento|Temple of Concordia]], [[Valle dei Templi]], [[Sicily]]]]
Italy is the country with the highest concentration in the world of the [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list//en/news/1049/en/list&order=country|title=UNESCO World Heritage Centre – World Heritage List|first=UNESCO World Heritage|last=Centre|website=whc.unesco.org|access-date=2021-12-20|archive-date=2020-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102083728/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list//en/news/1049/en/list%26order%3Dcountry|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=italy/> {{As of|2021}}, Italy [[List of World Heritage Sites in Italy|has a total of 58 inscribed sites]], making it the country with the most World Heritage Sites just above China (56).<ref name="auto1"/><ref name=italy/> Out of Italy's 58 heritage sites, 53 are cultural and 5 are natural.<ref name="italy">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/it/|title=Italy|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=9 April 2019|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201134320/http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/it|url-status=live}}</ref> 50% of the tourists who visit the UNESCO heritage sites in Italy are foreigners, and of these, 75% are in Italy for a cultural holiday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/piu-turisti-piu-responsabilita-l-importanza-chiamarsi-patrimonio-unesco-AEiUfOa?refresh_ce=1|title=Più turisti, più responsabilità: l'importanza di chiamarsi "Patrimonio Unesco"|date=August 2021 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Among the most famous Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites there are [[Sassi di Matera]]; [[Porto Venere]], [[Palmaria (island)|Palmaria]], [[Tino (island)|Tino]], [[Tinetto]] and [[Cinque Terre]]; [[Val d'Orcia]]; Early Christian Monuments of [[Ravenna]]; [[Valle dei Templi]]; [[Alberobello]]; Etruscan Necropolises of [[Cerveteri]] and [[Tarquinia]]; [[Pompeii]], [[Torre Annunziata]] and [[Herculaneum]]; [[Palmanova]]; [[Su Nuraxi (Barumini)|Barumini nuraghes]]; [[Dolomites]]; [[Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan|Santa Maria delle Grazie]] and ''[[The Last Supper (Leonardo)|The Last Supper]]''; [[Castel del Monte, Apulia|Castel del Monte]]; [[Royal Palace of Caserta]], [[Aqueduct of Vanvitelli]] and [[San Leucio|San Leucio Complex]]; [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]] and [[Necropolis of Pantalica]]; [[Villa d'Este]]; [[Langhe]]-[[Roero]] and [[Montferrat]]; [[Aeolian Islands]]; [[Val di Noto]]; [[Amalfi Coast]]; [[Rhaetian Railway]] in the [[Albula Railway|Albula]]/[[Bernina Railway|Bernina]] Landscapes; [[Aquileia]]; [[Duomo di Pisa|Duomo]] and the [[Leaning Tower of Pisa]]; [[Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale]]; [[Residences of the Royal House of Savoy]]; [[Parco Nazionale del Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni]], [[Paestum]], [[Velia]] and [[Certosa di Padula]]; [[Scrovegni Chapel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archetravel.com/blog/siti-unesco-italia-da-non-perdere/|title=I 10 Siti Unesco in Italia da non perdere|date=16 March 2022 |access-date=2 April 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skyscanner.it/notizie/i-20-siti-unesco-piu-spettacolari-d-italia|title=I 20 siti UNESCO più spettacolari d'Italia|date=16 August 2017 |access-date=2 April 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://viaggi.corriere.it/itinerari-e-luoghi/cards/siti-unesco-italia-piu-popolari-google/|title=Siti Unesco Italia: ecco la classifica dei più popolari su Google|date=20 October 2021 |access-date=2 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Historical and artistic villages tourism===
[[File:Montefioralle - narrow street (2661134628).jpg|thumb|[[Montefioralle]], [[Tuscany]], is one of "[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia|The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy]]".]]
[[File:Norcia-La Piazza centrale con la statua di S. Benedetto - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Norcia]], [[Umbria]], is one of "[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia|The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy]]".]]

The historical and artistic Italian villages are attracting an increasing number of tourists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/18_maggio_03/turismo-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-2017-anno-eccezionale-52a2e792-4ed5-11e8-aead-38ee720fad91.shtml|title=Turismo, boom di visitatori nei "Borghi più belli d'Italia"|date=5 March 2018 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> A non-profit private association of small Italian towns of strong historical and artistic interest<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/01/16/news/borghi_piu_belli_italia_14_nuovi_2023-383794441/|title=Borghi più belli d'Italia. Le 14 novità 2023, dal Trentino alla Calabria|date=16 January 2023 |access-date=28 July 2023|language=it}}</ref> named ''[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia]]'' ({{langx|en|The most beautiful Villages of Italy}}) and affiliated to the international association [[The Most Beautiful Villages in the World]], was created in 2001 on the initiative of the Tourism Council of the National Association of Italian Municipalities<ref name="borghipiubelliditalia.it">{{Cite web |url = http://borghipiubelliditalia.it/ |title = I Borghi più belli d'Italia, la guida online ai piccoli centri dell'Italia nascosta|access-date=3 May 2018|language=it}}</ref> with the aim of preserving and maintaining villages of quality heritage.<ref name="borghipiubelliditalia.it"/> Founded to contribute to safeguarding, conserving and revitalizing small villages and municipalities, but sometimes even individual hamlets, which, being outside the main tourist circuits, they risk, despite their great value, being forgotten with consequent degradation, depopulation and abandonment.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.travelnostop.com/news/territori/borghi-piu-belli-italia_400333 |website=Travelnostop |date=4 July 2017 |title= I borghi più belli d'Italia si confermano tappa obbligata per conoscere l'altra Italia |access-date= 3 May 2018 |language=it}}</ref> Its [[motto]] is {{lang|it|Il fascino dell'Italia nascosta}} ("The charm of hidden Italy").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.araldicacivica.it/ricerca/i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia/ |website=Araldicacivica |title=I "Borghi più belli d'Italia"|access-date=3 August 2023 |language=it |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230803211209/https://www.araldicacivica.it/ricerca/i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia/ |archive-date=3 August 2023 }}</ref>

As of November 2023, 361 villages in Italy have been listed in "The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy".<ref name="borghi">{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/2023/11/09/7-i-nuovi-borghi-ammessi-nell-associazioneo-2/ |date=9 Nov 2023 |website=I Borghi Più Belli D'Italia |title=7 nuovi borghi ammessi nell'Associazione |access-date=13 December 2023|language=it |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130115325/https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/2023/11/09/7-i-nuovi-borghi-ammessi-nell-associazioneo-2/ |archive-date= Nov 30, 2023 }}</ref> This association organizes initiatives within the villages, such as festivals, exhibitions, [[fete]]s, conferences and concerts that highlight the cultural, historical, gastronomic and linguistic heritage, involving residents, schools, and local artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/eventi-borghi/|title=Scopri tutti gli Eventi dei Borghi|date=24 December 2019 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The club promotes numerous initiatives on the international market.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.iicmonaco.esteri.it/iic_monaco/it/gli_eventi/calendario/2017/11/i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia.html|title = Ministero degli Affari Esteri/Istituto italiano di cultura|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303105732/http://www.iicmonaco.esteri.it/iic_monaco/it/gli_eventi/calendario/2017/11/i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia.html|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.enit.it/it/sediestere/europa/stoccolma/comunicati/1836-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia-si-presenta-ai-tour-operator-svedesi-presso-la-sede-enit-di-stoccolma.html|title = ENIT, sito ufficiale/Borghi più belli d'Italia a Stoccolma|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050738/http://www.enit.it/it/sediestere/europa/stoccolma/comunicati/1836-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia-si-presenta-ai-tour-operator-svedesi-presso-la-sede-enit-di-stoccolma.html|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.enit.it/it/sediestere/europa/londra/comunicati/2850-educational-i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-nov-2016.html|title = ENIT, sito ufficiale/Borghi più belli d'Italia a Londra|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050732/http://www.enit.it/it/sediestere/europa/londra/comunicati/2850-educational-i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-nov-2016.html|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.ilikepuglia.it/ilike/i-like-russia/bari/12/01/2014/presentata-a-mosca-la-rete-dei-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia.html|title = Borghi più belli d'Italia a Mosca/12/01/2014 da Centro Economia e Sviluppo Italo Russo|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303051110/http://www.ilikepuglia.it/ilike/i-like-russia/bari/12/01/2014/presentata-a-mosca-la-rete-dei-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia.html|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.lavocedinewyork.com/travel/italia/2016/01/15/new-york-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-222/|title = Borghi più belli d'Italia a New York/VNY| date=15 January 2016 |access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303110038/http://www.lavocedinewyork.com/travel/italia/2016/01/15/new-york-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-222/|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.italcamara-es.com/it/2017/03/24/presentata-a-madrid-lassociazione-i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia/|title = Associazione Borghi più belli d'Italia presentata a Madrid/Camera Commercio Italiana per la Spagna|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050622/http://www.italcamara-es.com/it/2017/03/24/presentata-a-madrid-lassociazione-i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia/|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref> In 2016, the association signed a global agreement with [[ENIT]],<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.restipica.net/scenari/articoli/i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia-in-giappone/|title = Res Tipica, Italia da conoscere, associazione costituita da ANCI e Associazioni Nazionali delle Città di Identità|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303105613/http://www.restipica.net/scenari/articoli/i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia-in-giappone/|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = dead|language=it}}</ref> to promote tourism in the most beautiful villages in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://stream24.ilsole24ore.com/video/mondo/in-giappone-i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia/ADOuNdHB|title = In Giappone "I Borghi più belli d'Italia"/Il sole24ore|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303105612/http://stream24.ilsole24ore.com/video/mondo/in-giappone-i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia/ADOuNdHB|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = dead|language=it}}</ref> In 2017, the club signed an agreement with [[Costa Cruises]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.costacrociere.it/B2C/I/Info/Pages/borghi.aspx|title = Sito ufficiale Costa Crociere|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303110040/https://www.costacrociere.it/B2C/I/Info/Pages/borghi.aspx|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref> for the enhancement of some villages, which are offered to cruise passengers arriving in Italian ports aboard the operator's ships.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.guidaviaggi.it/notizie/187775/costa-crociere-partnership-con-l-associazione-de-i-borghi-pi%C3%B9-belli-d%E2%80%99italia|title = Costa Crociere: partnership con l'associazione dei Borghi più belli d'Italia/GV|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050814/http://www.guidaviaggi.it/notizie/187775/costa-crociere-partnership-con-l-associazione-de-i-borghi-pi%C3%B9-belli-d%E2%80%99italia|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref>

The ''[[Bandiera arancione]]'' is a tourist-environmental quality recognition conferred by the [[Touring Club Italiano]] (TCI) to small towns in the Italian hinterland (maximum 15,000 inhabitants) which stand out for their quality hospitality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://static.touringclub.it/store/ba_doc/34_file.pdf |title=Copia archiviata |access-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107221602/http://static.touringclub.it/store/ba_doc/34_file.pdf|archive-date=7 November 2016|language=it}}</ref> The idea was born in 1998 in [[Sassello]] (in [[Liguria]]), from the need of the regional body to promote and enhance the hinterland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bandierearancioni.it/borgo/sassello|title=Sassello|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The TCI, therefore, developed an analysis model (called territorial analysis model or MAT) to identify the first deserving localities.<ref name="iniziativa">{{cite web|url=https://www.bandierearancioni.it/iniziativa/liniziativa|title=L'iniziativa|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> Subsequently, the recognition was promoted on a national scale, identifying small places of excellence in each region.<ref name="iniziativa"/> The group, as of June 2021, includes 252 villages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bandierearancioni.it/approfondimento/5-nuovi-borghi-diventano-bandiera-arancione|title=5 nuovi borghi diventano bandiera arancione|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The project is the only Italian one included by the [[World Tourism Organization]] among the programs successfully implemented for the sustainable development of tourism worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moliseturismo.net/tour-category/bandiere-arancioni-in-molise/|title=Bandiere arancioni in Molise|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

===Tourist railways===
{{main|List of heritage railways in Italy}}
[[File:Stazione Cansano.jpg|thumb|Historic train at the [[Cansano]] railway station, along the now tourist [[Sulmona]]-[[Castel di Sangro]] railway route]]

In Italy the [[heritage railway]] institute is recognized and protected by law no. 128 of 9 August 2017, which has as its objective the protection and valorisation of disused, suspended or abolished railway lines, of particular cultural, landscape and tourist value, including both railway routes and stations and the related works of art and appurtenances, on which, upon proposal of the regions to which they belong, tourism-type traffic management is applied (art. 2, paragraph 1).<ref name="gazzettaufficiale.it">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2017/08/23/17G00141/sg|title=Legge 9 agosto 2017, n. 128|author=Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana|language=it|access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> At the same time, the law identified a first list of 18 tourist railways, considered to be of particular value (art. 2, paragraph 2).<ref name="gazzettaufficiale.it"/>

The list is periodically updated by decree of the [[Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Italy)|Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport]], in agreement with the [[Ministry of Economy and Finance (Italy)|Ministry of Economy and Finance]] and the [[Ministry of Culture (Italy)|Ministry of Culture]], also taking into account the reports in the State-Regions Conference, a list which in 2022 reached 26 railway lines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mit.gov.it/nfsmitgov/files/media/notizia/2022-03/Elenco%20ferrovie%20turistiche.pdf|title=Tratte ferroviarie ad uso turistico|language=it|access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> According to article 1, law 128/2017 has as its purpose: "the protection and valorisation of railway sections of particular cultural, landscape and tourist value, which include railway routes, stations and related works of art and appurtenances, and of the historic and tourist rolling stock authorized to travel along them, as well as the regulation of the use of ferrocycles".<ref name="gazzettaufficiale.it"/>

In July 2023, [[Ferrovie dello Stato]] established a new company, the "FS Treni Turistici Italiani" (English: FS Italian Tourist Trains), with the mission "to propose an offer of railway services expressly designed and calibrated for quality, sustainable tourism and attentive to rediscovering the riches of the Italian territory. Tourism that can experience the train journey as an integral moment of the holiday, an element of quality in the overall tourist experience".<ref name="fsitaliane.it">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fsitaliane.it/content/fsitaliane/it/media/comunicati-stampa/2023/7/24/nuova-societa-fs-treni-turistici-italiani.html|title=Gruppo FS, nasce la nuova società "FS Treni Turistici Italiani"|language=it|access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> There are three service areas proposed: ''Luxury trains'', ''[[Express train|Express]] and historic trains'', and ''Regional trains''.<ref name="fsitaliane.it"/>

===Nightlife tourism===
[[File:Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere (14839644614).jpg|thumb|[[Trastevere]] nightlife, major tourist spot in [[Rome]] at night<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/a-night-out-in-trastevere.html|title=A night out in Trastevere|publisher=Wanted in Rome|date=17 June 2019}}</ref>]]
The [[nightlife]] in Italy is attractive to both tourists and locals. Italy is known to have some of the best nightlife in the world.<ref name="travel365">{{cite web|url=https://www.travel365.it/migliori-destinazioni-italiane-per-vita-notturna.htm|title=10 Migliori destinazioni italiane per vita notturna|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The best known Italian destinations for nightlife are:<ref name="travel365"/>

* [[Milan]] ([[Lombardy]]), in particular [[Navigli]], [[Brera (district of Milan)|Brera]], [[Isola (district of Milan)|Isola]], [[Porta Romana (Milan)|Porta Romana]], [[Lambrate]], [[Idroscalo]], Corso Como, Corso Sempione and [[Colonne di San Lorenzo]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yesmilano.it/articoli/quartieri-nightlife-milano|title=I QUARTIERI DELLA NIGHTLIFE A MILANO|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* [[Florence]] ([[Tuscany]]), in particular, the neighbourhoods of [[Oltrarno]], [[Santo Spirito, Florence|Santo Spirito]] and [[Santa Croce, Florence|Santa Croce]];
* [[Rome]] ([[Lazio]]), in particular, the neighbourhoods of [[Trastevere]], Pigneto, [[San Lorenzo (Rome)|San Lorenzo]] and [[Ostiense]];
* [[Venice]] ([[Veneto]]), in particular, the neighbourhoods of Erbaria, Fondamenta Misericordia and Santa Margherita;
* [[Salento]] ([[Apulia]]), in particular [[Gallipoli, Apulia|Gallipoli]], [[Otranto]] and [[Lecce]];
* ''[[Riviera]]'' of [[Romagna]] ([[Emilia-Romagna]]), in particular [[Riccione]], [[Rimini]] and [[Cervia|Milano Marittima]];
* [[Jesolo]] ([[Veneto]]);
* ''[[Riviera del Corallo]]'' ([[Sardinia]]), in particular [[Alghero]];
* [[Ischia]] ([[Campania]]);
* [[Coast of the Gods]] ([[Calabria]]), in particular [[Tropea]], [[Capo Vaticano]] and [[Scilla, Calabria|Scilla]].

===LGBT tourism===
{{further|LGBT rights in Italy}}
[[File:Capocotta gay beach.jpg|thumb|The [[rainbow flag]] flies in [[Capocotta]], [[Ostia (Rome)|Ostia]] ([[Rome]]), a [[gay-friendly]] beach on the Italian [[Mediterranean Sea]].]]
Italy represented one of the main homosexual male tourist destinations between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.<ref name="osservatoriolgbt">{{cite web|url=http://www.osservatoriolgbt.eu/archivio/Crescita_Turismo-Turismo_lgbt.pdf|title=Crescita Turismo|access-date=29 March 2022|language=it|page=21}}</ref> In fact, in Italy there were no anti-homosexual laws, which were widespread in the countries of Northern Europe, such as the German [[paragraph 175]] or the sentences suffered by [[Oscar Wilde]] in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="osservatoriolgbt"/> Places such as [[Capri]], [[Taormina]], [[Florence]], [[Venice]], [[Rome]] and [[Naples]] were the favourite places of homosexual tourism of the time.<ref name="osservatoriolgbt"/>

This type of tourism disappeared in Italy in the 1950s due to changed political and social conditions, which favoured other types of tourism, such as "family" tourism.<ref name="osservatoriolgbt"/> As a consequence, other Mediterranean cities (such as [[Mykonos]], [[Ibiza]] and [[Sitges]]) took the place of the Italian ones for [[LGBT]] tourism.<ref name="osservatoriolgbt"/>

Today LGBT tourism in Italy is mainly an urban phenomenon, such as in [[Milan]] and [[Rome]] due to the high variety of discos, pubs, bars, cruising, saunas, B&B, restaurants, which meet all needs. of the nightlife.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.webitmag.it/turismo-lgbt-roma-le-preferite_120364/|title=Turismo LGBT, Roma la prima città da visitare|access-date=29 March 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/cronaca/gay-turismo-1.4006360|title=Moda e locali, affari d'oro col turismo gay|access-date=29 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> In summer, however, the first Italian gay resort is [[Gallipoli, Apulia|Gallipoli]] which, with bars, discos, B&B and beaches, attracts people from all over Italy and abroad, taking away the primacy of [[Versilia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.happydir.com/6-turismo-gay-gallipoli-meta-preferita-in-puglia/|title=Turismo Gay: GALLIPOLI meta preferita in Puglia|access-date=29 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> The naturist beaches of Spiaggia D'Ayala, Campomarino di Maruggio, Torre Guaceto and [[Brindisi]] attract LGBT crowds from all over the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gaypugliapodcast.com/faq/the-big-gay-puglia-faq/|title=The Big Gay Podcast from Puglia: Gay Puglia Guide|access-date=29 March 2022}}</ref>

===Luxury tourism===
[[File:Porto Cervo1.jpg|thumb|[[Porto Cervo]], [[Costa Smeralda]], [[Sardinia]], in summer]]
[[File:Franchetti.JPG|thumb|[[Cortina d'Ampezzo]], [[Veneto]], in winter]]
Luxury tourism in Italy is highly developed, corresponding to €25 billion (in particular €2 billion for catering and €14 billion for visits, excursions and shopping), a figure that increases, also considering the related activities and the indirect expenses of luxury tourists, to €60 billion, which corresponds to 3% of Italy's GDP.<ref name="altagamma">{{cite web|url=https://altagamma.it/media/source/CS%20Giornata%20Altagamma%20Turismo_2505_FINALdocx.pdf|title=Turismo di Alta Gamma. Leva strategica per l'Italia|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The companies operating in the luxury tourism sector in Italy are 1% of the accommodation businesses present in the country, corresponding to approximately 3% of the nights spent in Italian accommodation facilities, but generate 25% of the total expenditure of tourists who choose Italy as their destination, and 15% of the total turnover of accommodation facilities.<ref name="altagamma"/> These data can be explained by considering some characteristics of luxury tourism where these tourists who travel to Italy spend nine times more than the average, and the most expensive hotels employ twice as many employees as an average quality hotel.<ref name="altagamma"/>

Regarding luxury tourism, Italy ranks 1st in the world for artistic-cultural tourism and food and wine tourism, 2nd place for mountain tourism and tourism in large cities and 4th place for seaside tourism.<ref name="altagamma"/> As for the most popular destinations for luxury tourists in Italy, in mountain tourism are the [[Dolomites]], especially [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]] and [[Madonna di Campiglio]], [[Trentino-Alto Adige]], especially [[Selva di Val Gardena]], and [[Aosta Valley]], in particular [[Courmayeur]], for lake tourism [[Lake Como]] and [[Lake Garda]], in particular [[Gardone Riviera]], while for seaside tourism the [[Cinque Terre]] and [[Portofino]], the [[Amalfi Coast]], in particular [[Amalfi]], [[Ravello]] and [[Positano]], the island of [[Capri]], the [[Costa Smeralda]] (especially [[Porto Cervo]]), [[Porto Ercole]], [[Forte dei Marmi]], [[Santa Margherita Ligure]] and [[Taormina]].<ref name="immobilisantandrea">{{cite web|url=https://www.immobilisantandrea.it/news/turismo-di-lusso-in-europa-grandi-potenzialit-e-pochi-investimenti#par3|title=Turismo di lusso in Europa: grandi potenzialità e pochi investimenti|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/notizie/foto/localita-piu-chic-italia/3006/|title=La classifica delle mete più costose d'Italia|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visititaly.eu/it/luoghi-e-itinerari/mete-di-lusso-in-italia-10-luoghi-da-non-perdere|title=Mete di lusso in Italia: 10 idee da non perdere|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref> As for the Italian cities, the most visited by luxury tourists are [[Venice]], [[Milan]], [[Florence]] and [[Rome]].<ref name="immobilisantandrea"/>

In particular, [[Costa Smeralda]] is the most expensive location in Europe. House prices reach up to €300,000 ($392,200) per square metre.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.engelvoelkers.com/blog/2013/europes-most-expensive-addresses-romazzino-bay-on-sardinia-leads-current-ranking/ |title=Europe's most expensive addresses: Romazzino Bay on Sardinia |publisher=Engel & Völkers Group |date=16 September 2013 |access-date=30 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711202855/https://www.engelvoelkers.com/blog/2013/europes-most-expensive-addresses-romazzino-bay-on-sardinia-leads-current-ranking/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.idealista.it/news/immobiliare/residenziale/2013/05/16/78591-e-in-costa-smeralda-la-localita-residenziale-piu-cara-deuropa| title = È in Costa Smeralda la località residenziale più cara d'Europa|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/europe-residential-news/sardinia-monaco-most-expensive-addresses-in-europe-6762.php|title=Where is the Most Expensive Address in Europe?|access-date=3 July 2022}}</ref> Development of the Costa Smeralda started in 1961 and was financed by a consortium of companies led by Prince [[Aga Khan IV|Karim Aga Khan]]. Spiaggia del Principe, one of the beaches along the Costa Smeralda, was named after this [[Isma'ilism|Ishmaelite]] prince.<ref name="CharmingSardinia">{{cite web | url=http://www.charmingsardinia.com/booksardegna/SARDINIA-Olbia-Costa%20Smeralda-Badesi.pdf | format=web | title=Guide to Olbia, Costa Smeralda, Badesi | publisher=CharmingSardinia.com | date=January 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711062529/http://www.charmingsardinia.com/booksardegna/SARDINIA-Olbia-Costa%20Smeralda-Badesi.pdf | archive-date=11 July 2009}}</ref>

===Amusement and theme park tourism===
[[File:141GardalandCastello.JPG|thumb|The entrance to [[Gardaland]] seen from inside the amusement park]]
The most visited [[amusement park]] in Italy is [[Gardaland]], with 3 million visitors per year (2019).<ref name="virgilio">{{cite web|url=https://initalia.virgilio.it/i-parchi-divertimento-piu-grandi-e-visitati-3482|title=I parchi divertimento più grandi e visitati|access-date=30 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> Located in [[Castelnuovo del Garda]], is adjacent to [[Lake Garda]]. The entire complex covers an area of {{convert|445000|m2|0|abbr=on}}, while the theme park alone measures {{convert|200000|m2|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="virgilio"/> Gardaland is the eighth in Europe by the number of amusement park visitors (2019).<ref name="virgilio"/> In June 2005 Gardaland ranked fifth in the ''[[Forbes]]'' ranking of the top ten best amusement parks in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travelnostop.com/news/territori/gardaland-e-nella-top-ten-mondiale-dei-parchi-divertimento_32477|title=Gardaland è nella Top Ten mondiale dei parchi divertimento|access-date=30 March 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The second most visited Italian amusement park is [[Mirabilandia (Italy)|Mirabilandia]], with 2 million annual visitors (2019).<ref name="virgilio"/> Located in Savio, a [[frazione]] of [[Ravenna]], with a total area of {{convert|850000|m2|0|abbr=on}} it is the biggest amusement park in Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://upstylemagazine.com/mirabilandia-il-parco-di-divertimenti-piu-grande-ditalia/|title=Mirabilandia, il parco di divertimenti più grande d'Italia|access-date=30 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> Other popular Italian amusement/theme parks are [[Cinecittà World]] in [[Rome]], [[Zoomarine]] in [[Torvaianica]], [[Cavallino Matto]] in [[Marina di Castagneto Carducci]], [[Italia in miniatura]] in [[Rimini]], [[Cowboyland]] in [[Voghera]], [[Pombia Safari Park]] in [[Pombia]], [[Aquarium of Genoa]], [[Parco Natura Viva]] in [[Bussolengo]], [[Zoom Torino]] in [[Cumiana]] and [[Le Cornelle]] in [[Valbrembo]].

=== Roots tourism ===
{{further|Italian diaspora}}
[[File:Map of the Italian Diaspora in the World.svg|thumb|Map of the [[Italian diaspora]] in the world]]

Italy has experienced a [[Italian diaspora|conspicuous emigration to foreign countries]] following [[Italian unification]], [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. By 1980, it was estimated that about 25,000,000 [[Italians]] were residing outside Italy.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=King|first=Russell| date=1 January 1978|title=Report: The Italian Diaspora|journal=Area|volume=10| issue=5|pages=386| jstor=20001401}}</ref> It is estimated that the number of their descendants, who are called "''[[oriundi]]''", is about 80 million worldwide.<ref name="askanews">{{Cite web|url=https://www.askanews.it/esteri/2020/02/04/sono-circa-80-milioni-gli-oriundi-italiani-nel-mondo-pn_20200204_00081/|title=Sono circa 80 milioni gli oriundi italiani nel mondo|access-date=10 November 2021|language=it}}</ref>

This includes about 60% of Argentina's population ([[Italian Argentines]]),<ref>{{cite book |title= Britain and the Making of Argentina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jXNgInLwwIoC&pg=PA101 |page=101 |first=Gordon A. |last=Bridger |year=2013 | publisher=WIT Press |isbn = 9781845646844|quote=Some 86% identify themselves as being of European descent, of whom 60% would claim Italian links}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zingerling.com.ar/obras/geneitaliana/laargentinayloserupeos.htm |title=La Argentina y los europeos sin Europa |author=Marcello De Cecco |language=es |website=Zingerling |access-date=2020-11-24 |archive-date=2017-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626202432/http://www.zingerling.com.ar/obras/geneitaliana/laargentinayloserupeos.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> 1/3 of Uruguayans ([[Italian Uruguayans]]), 15% of Brazilians ([[Italian Brazilians]], the largest Italian community outside Italy),<ref name="Brazil">{{cite web|url=http://www.brazil.org.uk/resources/documents/bs-primary03.pdf |title=Brazil – the Country and its People |publisher=www.brazil.org.uk |access-date=20 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021152752/http://www.brazil.org.uk/resources/documents/bs-primary03.pdf |archive-date=21 October 2014 }}</ref> more than 5 million Venezuelans ([[Italian Venezuelans]]),<ref>{{Cite web|title="Noi veneti del Venezuela, siamo i nuovi profughi fantasma"|url=https://www.ilgazzettino.it/nordest/venezia/veneti_venezuela_profughi_fantasma-5025889.html|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.ilgazzettino.it|date=3 February 2020 |language=it}}</ref> and people in other parts of [[Europe]] (e.g. [[Italians in Germany]], [[Italians in France]] and [[Italians in the United Kingdom]]), the [[Americas]] (such as [[Italian Americans]], [[Italian Canadians]], [[Italian Colombian]]s and [[Italians in Paraguay]], among others), [[Australasia]] ([[Italian Australians]] and [[Italian New Zealanders]]), and to a lesser extent in the [[Middle East]].

This phenomenon has led to an important flow of tourists of Italian origin who visit the country and discover their roots.<ref name="esteri">{{cite web|url=https://www.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/italiani-all-estero/turismo-delle-radici/|title=Turismo delle Radici|access-date=17 April 2021|language=it}}</ref> The trip to Italy of these tourists is mainly about knowing the places, the language, the cuisine and the people to which their ancestors belonged.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cascinafarisengo.it/turismo-delle-radici-cos-e-esempi/|title=Turismo delle radici: cos'è e perché è importante|access-date=17 April 2021|language=it}}</ref> In 2018, about 10 million tourists of Italian origin went to the country to rediscover their roots.<ref name="esteri"/>

=== Student programmes tourism ===
[[File:Archiginnasio ora blu Bologna.jpg|thumb|[[Bologna University]], established in AD 1088, is the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|world's oldest university in continuous operation]].]]
{{further|Education in Italy|List of universities in Italy}}
A [[student exchange programme]] is a programme in which students from a [[secondary school]] (high school) or university [[study abroad]] at one of their institution's partner institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2006 |title=Stella Ting-Toomey, PhD |url=http://www.ces.uc.pt/icopromo/documents/02%20Stella%20Ting-Toomey%20-%20Developing%20Intercultural%20Communication%20Competence%20-%20A%20Mindful%20Systems%20Perspective.pdf |access-date=25 October 2014}}</ref> Italy is one of the destinations of secondary school students and university students participating in exchange programmes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://confartigianato.verona.it/categorie-cat/attualita/novita-ospitare-studenti-stranieri-impegnati-in-scambi-culturali-in-italia-potrebbe-interessarti-un-webinar-in-due-orari-per-illustrare-lopportunita/|title=Ospitare studenti stranieri impegnati in scambi culturali in Italia|access-date=22 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edisu.pv.it/index.php?page=servizio-di-scambi-di-studenti-con-l-estero|title=Servizio di scambi di studenti con l'estero|access-date=22 June 2022|language=it}}</ref> Students who go to study in Italy also take advantage of their stay to visit the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salernotoday.it/scuola/salerno-erasmus-generation-studenti-stranieri-turismo-13-maggio-2021.html|title="Erasmus Generation", studenti stranieri in arrivo da Firenze: l'iniziativa di "Salerno in comune"|access-date=21 April 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://liguriaoggi.it/2018/03/13/welcome-erasmus-day-comune-e-universita-accolgono-gli-studenti-stranieri/|title="Welcome Erasmus Day", Comune e Università accolgono gli studenti stranieri|access-date=21 April 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Italy is one of the main destinations of the [[Erasmus Programme]], fifth in Europe after [[Spain]], [[Germany]], [[France]] and the [[United Kingdom]] respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agi.it/estero/europa/dopo_30_anni_lerasmus_raddoppia_nasce_plus_per_i_lavoratori-1415035/news/2017-01-26/|title=Erasmus compie 30 anni e promuove programma 'plus' per lavoratori|access-date=21 April 2021|language=it}}</ref> The Erasmus Programme is a [[European Union]] (EU) student exchange programme established in 1987.<ref>Council decision, OJ L 166, 25 June 1987</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31987D0327 |title=EUR-Lex - 31987D0327 - DE - EUR-Lex |access-date=17 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017151200/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31987D0327 |archive-date=17 October 2017}}</ref> [[Erasmus+]], or Erasmus Plus, is the new programme combining all the EU's current schemes for education, training, youth and sport, which was started in January 2014.

The first five Italian universities that have hosted the largest number of students of the Erasmus Programme are, respectively, the [[University of Bologna]], the [[Sapienza University of Rome]], the [[University of Florence]], the [[Polytechnic University of Milan]] and the [[University of Padua]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dinehome.com/blog/erasmus-universita|title=Erasmus+: l'Università di Bologna è prima in Italia per studenti in mobilità|access-date=21 April 2021|language=it}}</ref> In particular, the University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|oldest university in continuous operation in the world]], and the first university in the sense of a higher-learning and degree-awarding institute, as the word ''universitas'' was coined at its foundation.<ref name="Top Universities"/><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wyjnHZ1IIlgC&q=the+oldest+university+in+the+world+Bologna&pg=PA18 |title=The Challenge of Bologna|author=Paul L. Gaston |year=2010 |page=18 |publisher=Stylus |isbn=978-1-57922-366-3 |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="Hunt Janin 2008">Hunt Janin: "The university in medieval life, 1179–1499", McFarland, 2008, {{ISBN|0-7864-3462-7}}, p. 55f.</ref><ref name="Ridder-Symoens 1992">de Ridder-Symoens, Hilde: [https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z1VBEbF0HAC ''A History of the University in Europe: Volume 1, Universities in the Middle Ages''], Cambridge University Press, 1992, {{ISBN|0-521-36105-2}}, pp. 47–55</ref> Also, University of Padua, founded in 1222, and [[University of Naples Federico II]], founded in 1224, are the oldest universities in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kamp|first=Norbert|title=Federico II di Svevia, Imperatore, Re di Sicilia e di Gerusalemme, Re dei Romani|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/federico-ii-di-svevia-imperatore-re-di-sicilia-e-di-gerusalemme-re-dei-romani_(Federiciana)|publisher=Treccani|access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cenni Storici|url=http://www.unina.it/ateneo/cenni/index.jsp|publisher=Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II|access-date=28 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928175347/http://www.unina.it/ateneo/cenni/index.jsp|archive-date=28 September 2011}}</ref> 33 Italian universities were ranked among the world's top 500 in 2019, the third-largest number in Europe after the United Kingdom and Germany.<ref name="jakubmarian">{{cite web |url=https://jakubmarian.com/number-of-top-ranked-universities-by-country-in-europe/ |title=Number of top-ranked universities by country in Europe |publisher=jakubmarian.com |date=2019}}</ref>

== Regions ==
{{further|Regions of Italy}}

===Northwest Italy===
[[File:CastelloDiFénisJuly292023 06.jpg|thumb|[[Fénis Castle]], 13th century ([[Aosta Valley]])]]
{{further|Northwest Italy}}
:''Regions: [[Piedmont]], [[Liguria]], [[Lombardy]] and [[Aosta Valley]]''
Home of the [[Italian Riviera]], including [[Portofino]], [[Sanremo]], and of [[Cinque Terre]]. There are many historic cities in this part of Italy: [[Turin]], the manufacturing capital of Italy, [[Milan]], the business and fashion capital of the country and the important port of [[Genoa]] are the most popular tourist destinations of the area.

Other cities like [[Aosta]], [[Bergamo]], [[Brescia]], [[Como]] and [[Mantua]] have a rich cultural heritage, which shares the region's visitors with beautiful landscapes such as the lakes [[Lake Garda|Garda]] (with [[Grottoes of Catullus]] and [[Gardone Riviera]]), [[Lake Como|Como]] (with [[Bellagio, Lombardy|Bellagio]] and [[Varenna]]) and [[Lake Maggiore|Maggiore]] (with [[Borromean Islands]] and [[Angera]]). There are also important ski resorts like [[Sestriere]], [[Courmayeur]], [[Breuil-Cervinia]], [[Livigno]] and [[Bormio]].

===Northeast Italy===
[[Image:08-Villa-Rotonda-Palladio.jpg|thumb|[[Villa Capra "La Rotonda"]] in [[Vicenza]]. One of [[Palladio]]'s most influential designs.]]
{{further|Northeast Italy}}
:''Regions: [[Emilia-Romagna]], [[Friuli-Venezia Giulia]], [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]] and [[Veneto]]''
This part of Italy also boasts several important tourist attractions, such as the canal-filled city of [[Venice]], the cities of [[Verona]], [[Vicenza]], [[Padua]], [[Trento]], [[Bolzano]], [[Cremona]], [[Bologna]], [[Ferrara]], [[Parma]], [[Ravenna]], [[Cesena]], [[Rimini]] and [[Trieste]].

There are also several mountain ranges such as the Dolomites, the Carnic and Julian Alps and first-class ski resorts like [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]] and Madonna di Campiglio. These four regions offer much to see and do. The area has a unique cuisine, including wines and dishes such as [[Prosecco]] and [[Tiramisu]] in Veneto and [[Cotechino]], [[Ragù|Ragu]] and [[Parma ham]] in Emilia Romagna, [[prosciutto di San Daniele]] and [[Denominazione di origine controllata|D.O.C.]] wines in [[Valpolicella]], [[Lake Garda]], [[Valdobbiadene]], [[Trentino]] and [[Friuli-Venezia Giulia]].

===Central Italy===
[[File:Urbino-duomo01.jpg|thumb|[[Urbino]], [[Marche]]]]
{{further|Central Italy}}
:''Regions: [[Lazio]], [[Marche]], [[Tuscany]] and [[Umbria]]''
This area is possibly the most visited in Italy and contains many popular attractions as well as sought-after landscapes. [[Rome]] boasts the remaining wonders of the [[Roman Empire]] and some of the world's best-known landmarks such as the [[Colosseum]].

[[Florence]], regarded as the birthplace of the [[Italian Renaissance]], is [[Tuscany]]'s most visited city, whereas nearby cities like [[Siena]], [[Pisa]], [[Arezzo]] and [[Lucca]] also have rich cultural heritage. [[Umbria]]'s population is small but it has many important cities such as [[Perugia]] and [[Assisi]]. For similar reasons, Lazio and Tuscany are some of Italy's most visited regions and the main targets for [[Ecotourism]].

Other cities in [[Marche]] like [[Pesaro]], [[Fabriano]] and [[Urbino]] have a rich cultural heritage. This area is known for its picturesque landscapes and attracts tourists from all over the world, including Italy itself. Pristine landscapes serve as one of the primary motivators for tourists to visit central Italy, although there are others, such as a rich history of art.

===Southern Italy===
[[File:Alberobello BW 2016-10-16 13-43-03.jpg|thumb|[[Trullo|Trulli]] in [[Alberobello]], [[Apulia]]]]
{{further|Southern Italy}}
:''Regions: [[Apulia]], [[Basilicata]], [[Calabria]], [[Campania]], [[Abruzzo]], and [[Molise]]''
Southern Italy (also called [[Mezzogiorno]]) is well known for its cuisine, which offers a wide choice of food at lower prices. It is also known for the pairing of Mediterranean climate with the beautiful beaches of each region, an important element for local tourism. [[Naples]] is the most visited city in the area, and the ruins of [[Pompeii]] are the most visited sights.

Other important tourist destinations include the [[Amalfi Coast]], [[Ravello]], [[Benevento]], [[Caserta]], [[Salerno]] and [[Pozzuoli]]. The natural parks of [[Abruzzo]], the greenest region in [[Europe]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laquilacapitale.eu/it/abruzzo-regione-verde-europa.html|title=Laquilacapitale|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=15 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215170952/http://laquilacapitale.eu/it/abruzzo-regione-verde-europa.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> include the [[Abruzzo National Park]], the [[Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park|National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga]] the [[Maiella National Park]] and [[Sirente-Velino Regional Park]] which attract thousands of visitors due to more than 30 protected Nature Reserves and the presence of 75% of all [[Europe]]'s living species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parcoabruzzo.it/pagina.php?id=46|title=Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo Lazio e Molise – Natura – Fauna|access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref>

[[Apulia]], which includes the historical cities of [[Lecce]] and [[Bari]] and villages composed of [[Trullo|trulli]]; like Calabria it is famous for its coasts. [[Basilicata]] is very famous for so-called [[Sassi di Matera]]. The main cities of [[Molise]] are [[Campobasso]] and [[Isernia]], the most important sight is the Basilica of [[Castelpetroso]]. [[Calabria]] coasts are very appreciated by tourists; the capital city is [[Catanzaro]] but its most populated city is [[Reggio Calabria]].

===Insular Italy===
[[File:Sicilia Noto1 tango7174.jpg|thumb|[[Noto Cathedral]], [[Sicily]]]]
{{further|Insular Italy}}
:''Regions: [[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]]''
[[Sicily]], the largest island in the country, is a diverse and popular tourist island, famous for its archaeology, seascape and unique [[Sicilian cuisine]]. [[Mount Etna]], the beaches, the archaeological sites, and major cities such as [[Palermo]], [[Catania]], [[Trapani]], [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]] and [[Ragusa, Sicily|Ragusa]] are the favourite tourist destinations, but the old town of [[Taormina]] and the neighbouring seaside resort of [[Giardini Naxos]] draw visitors from all over the world, as do the [[Aeolian Islands]], [[Aegadian Islands]], [[Erice]], [[Terrasini]], [[Castellammare del Golfo]], [[Monreale]], [[Cefalù]], [[Agrigento]], the [[Pelagie Islands]] and [[Capo d'Orlando]]. An important sight is [[Val di Noto]] which offers a lot of Late Baroque cities built after the catastrophic earthquake of 1693.

[[Sardinia]] is a large island some 250 kilometres west of the Italian coastline. It includes several popular [[List of tourist attractions in Sardinia|tourist attractions]] and has several beaches and archaeological ruins. It is also known for its beaches, which are among the most beautiful in the world, and include the famous pink beaches in the archipelago of [[La Maddalena]]. The most popular cities in [[Sardinia]] are: [[Cagliari]], [[Sassari]], [[Alghero]], [[Olbia]] and [[Porto Cervo]]. Porto Cervo, located in [[Costa Smeralda]], is a popular summer destination famous for its beaches and clubs among high-income earners.

==Vacation in Italy in ancient times==
[[File:Ercolano 2012 (8019396514).jpg|thumb|Ruins of [[Herculaneum]]]]
It was the [[ancient Romans]] who invented the concept of "[[vacation]]".<ref name="studiarapido">{{cite web|url=https://www.studiarapido.it/turismo-e-vacanze-nella-roma-imperiale/|title=Turismo e vacanze nell'antica Roma|access-date=14 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> The vacation was the prerogative of the [[Patrician (ancient Rome)|patricians]], the wealthiest social caste, who owned villas outside [[Rome]], mainly in the ''[[Latium]]'' hinterland and on the [[Tyrrhenian Sea|Tyrrhenian coast]].<ref name="montanaritour">{{cite web|url=https://montanaritour.it/il-turismo-nellantica-roma/|title=Il turismo nellantica Roma|access-date=14 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> The most popular place in [[Roman Italy]] to vacation was [[Naples]], an important cultural centre and a place that attracted artists, philosophers and scholars of the time.<ref name="montanaritour"/>

The ancient Romans also visited Italy to learn about their origins, especially in regards to the history, ancient legends and myths related to the [[founding of Rome]].<ref name="studiarapido"/> Among the most popular destinations for this type of vacation were the [[Circeo]], where the jug was kept which, according to tradition, had been used by [[Odysseus]] during his stay with the sorceress [[Circe]].<ref name="studiarapido"/> Another destination was a visit to the ship with which, according to tradition, [[Aeneas]], a hero destined by [[fate]] to the founding of Rome, had arrived on the shores of ''Latium''.<ref name="studiarapido"/>

At the height of the [[Roman Empire|imperial era]], the city of Rome became a destination for aristocrats from all over the [[Roman province]] who visited the capital to admire its most important monuments such as the [[Colosseum]], the [[Ara Pacis]], the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] and the [[Trajan's Column]].<ref name="studiarapido"/> However, the vacation resorts were numerous, from the [[Italian Lakes|lakes of Northern Italy]] to [[Sicily]]. The most visited by the ancient Romans were the [[Phlegraean Fields]], [[Pozzuoli]], the hill of [[Posillipo]], [[Baiae]], [[Cape Miseno]] and the [[island of Capri]].<ref name="studiarapido"/>

In particular, in Baiae, which was characterized by a favourable climate all year round, there were natural springs of sulphurous hot water with healing properties.<ref name="studiarapido"/> The city then became a famous seaside resort, embellished by the presence of spas and luxurious villas.<ref name="studiarapido"/> Here [[Julius Caesar]], [[Pompey]], [[Marcus Licinius Crassus]], [[Cicero]], [[Seneca the Younger]], [[Caligula]] and [[Nero]] owned a villa for vacationing.<ref name="studiarapido"/> Other important vacation localities of the ancient Romans were [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]], which were destroyed by the [[eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD]].<ref name="studiarapido"/>

== Cities ==
{{further|List of cities in Italy}}

=== Rome ===
{{main|Tourism in Rome|List of tourist attractions in Rome}}
{{further|Rome}}
{{wide image|Colosseum-panoramic.view.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|The [[Colosseum]] and the [[Arch of Constantine]]}}
[[File:Musei Capitolini 20150812.jpg|thumb|[[Piazza del Campidoglio|Palazzo Senatorio]], seat of the municipality of [[Rome]]. It has been a [[town hall]] since AD 1144, making it the oldest town hall in the world.<ref>{{cite book|first=Fabrizio|last=Falconi|year=2015|title=Roma segreta e misteriosa|publisher=[[Newton Compton Editori]]|isbn=9788854188075 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rgrkCgAAQBAJ| access-date=19 August 2019|language=it}}</ref>]]

[[Rome]] is the [[capital city]] of [[Italy]].  It is also the capital of the [[Lazio]] [[Regions of Italy|region]], the centre of the [[Metropolitan City of Rome]], and a special ''[[comune]]'' named ''Comune di Roma Capitale''. Rome is the country's most populated ''comune'' and the [[List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits|third most populous city]] in the [[European Union]] by population within city limits. Rome is located in the central-western portion of the [[Italian Peninsula]], within Lazio ([[Latium]]), along the shores of the [[Tiber]]. [[Vatican City]] (the smallest country in the world)<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.history.com/news/what-is-the-smallest-country-in-the-world |title=What is the smallest country in the world? |work=History.com |access-date=27 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927125308/https://www.history.com/news/what-is-the-smallest-country-in-the-world |url-status=live}}</ref> is an independent country inside the city boundaries of Rome, the only existing example of a country within a city; for this reason, Rome has sometimes been described as the capital of two states.<ref>{{cite web |title=Discorsi del Presidente Ciampi |url=http://www.quirinale.it/qrnw/statico/ex-presidenti/Ciampi/dinamico/discorso.asp?id=21495 |publisher=Presidenza della Repubblica |access-date=17 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053829/http://www.quirinale.it/qrnw/statico/ex-presidenti/Ciampi/dinamico/discorso.asp?id=21495 |archive-date=21 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Le istituzioni salutano Benedetto XVI |url=http://www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/esteri/nuovopapa/reazitalia/reazitalia.html |newspaper=La Repubblica |access-date=17 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302053332/http://www.repubblica.it/2005/d/sezioni/esteri/nuovopapa/reazitalia/reazitalia.html |archive-date=2 March 2013}}</ref>

Rome is often referred to as the [[City of Seven Hills]] due to its geographic location, and also as the "Eternal City".<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Is Rome Called The Eternal City? |url=https://www.rometales.com/rome-eternal-city.html |url-status=usurped |date=27 September 2021 |access-date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916125622/https://www.rometales.com/rome-eternal-city.html }}</ref> Rome is generally considered to be the "cradle of Western [[Christian culture]] and [[Christian Civilization|civilization]]", and the centre of the [[Catholic Church]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Understanding China Today: An Exploration of Politics, Economics, Society, and International Relations |first=Silvio |last=Beretta |year=2017 |isbn=9783319296258 |page=320 |publisher=Springer }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=	Christianity: Religions of the World |first=Ann Marie |last=B. Bahr |year=2009 |isbn=9781438106397 |page=139 |publisher=Infobase Publishing }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Rome in America: Transnational Catholic Ideology from the Risorgimento to Fascism |first=Peter |last=R. D'Agostino |year=2005 |isbn=9780807863411 |publisher=Univ of North Carolina Press }}</ref> [[History of Rome|Rome's history]] spans 28 centuries. While [[Roman mythology]] dates the [[founding of Rome]] at around 753 BC, the site has been inhabited for much longer, making it a major human settlement for almost three millennia and one of the [[List of oldest continuously inhabited cities|oldest continuously occupied cities]] in Europe.<ref name="Heiken, G. 2005">Heiken, G., Funiciello, R. and De Rita, D. (2005), ''The Seven Hills of Rome: A Geological Tour of the Eternal City''. Princeton University Press.</ref> The city's early population originated from a mix of [[Latins (Italic tribe)|Latins]], [[Etruscan civilization|Etruscans]], and [[Sabines]]. Eventually, the city successively became the capital of the [[Roman Kingdom]], the [[Roman Republic]] and the [[Roman Empire]], and is regarded by many as the first-ever Imperial city and [[metropolis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historytoday.com/mary-harlow/old-age-ancient-rome |title=Old Age in Ancient Rome – History Today |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612210546/https://www.historytoday.com/mary-harlow/old-age-ancient-rome |archive-date=12 June 2018}}</ref> It was first called ''The Eternal City'' ({{langx|la|Urbs Aeterna}}; {{langx|it|La Città Eterna}}) by the Roman poet [[Tibullus]] in the 1st century BC, and the expression was also taken up by [[Ovid]], [[Virgil]], and [[Livy]].<ref>Stephanie Malia Hom, "Consuming the View: Tourism, Rome, and the Topos of the Eternal City", ''Annali d'Igtalianistica'' '''28''':91–116 {{JSTOR|24016389}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Andres Perez |first=Javier |title=Approximación a la Iconografía de Roma Aeterna |url=http://www.elfuturodelpasado.com/elfuturodelpasado/Ultimo_numero_files/023.pdf |publisher=El Futuro del Pasado |access-date=28 May 2014 |pages=349–363 |year=2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923235403/http://www.elfuturodelpasado.com/elfuturodelpasado/Ultimo_numero_files/023.pdf |archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> Rome is also called "[[Caput Mundi]]" (Capital of the World).

Rome has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination globally. 45.6% from 2006 (6.03 million), Rome hosted 8.78 million international tourists in 2014, placing itself as the 14th most visited city in the world.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/28/travel/most-visited-cities-euromonitor-2016/index.html|title=World's 25 top tourism destinations|first=Barry |last=Neild|website=CNN|access-date=2016-12-14|date=2016-01-28}}</ref> Popular tourists attractions in the city include the [[Colosseum]], [[St Peter's Basilica]], the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] and so on, all of which are part of the World Heritage property.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/91|title=Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|website=whc.unesco.org|language=en|access-date=2016-12-14}}</ref> Other main sights in the city include, the [[Trevi Fountain]], [[Piazza Navona]], [[Roman Forum]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rome.info/sights/|title=Rome.info > Rome Sights and attractions|access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref> [[Castel Sant'Angelo]], the [[Basilica of St. John Lateran]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webromehotels.com/tourist-attractions-rome.html|title=Italy 10 Top Chat Tourist Attractions Chattain Rome|website=webromehotels.com|access-date=1 April 2018|archive-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035643/http://www.webromehotels.com/tourist-attractions-rome.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Spanish Steps]], [[Villa Borghese]] park, [[Piazza del Popolo]], the [[Trastevere]] and the [[Janiculum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rome.world-guides.com/attractions.html|title=Rome Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing|access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref>

=== Milan ===
{{main|Tourism in Milan}}
{{further|Milan}}
{{wide image|20170706 MilanoDuomo 9637 (36747362195).jpg|800px|align-cap=center|The [[Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II]], the [[Milan Cathedral]], the [[Royal Palace of Milan]] and the [[Palazzo dell'Arengario]] in [[Piazza del Duomo, Milan|Piazza del Duomo]]}}
[[File:Piazza mercanti Milano.JPG|thumb|[[Piazza Mercanti]] used to be the heart of Milan in the Middle Ages.]]
[[Milan]] is a city in [[northern Italy]], capital of [[Lombardy]], and the [[List of cities in Italy|second-most populous city proper in Italy]] after [[Rome]]. Milan is considered a leading alpha [[global city]],<ref>{{cite web |title=GaWC – The World According to GaWC 2018 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2018t.html |website=lboro.ac.uk |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=3 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503165246/http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2016t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> with strengths in the fields of [[arts|art]], [[commerce]], [[design]], [[education]], [[entertainment]], [[fashion]], [[finance]], [[healthcare]], [[media (communication)|media]], [[service (economics)|services]], [[research]] and tourism. Its business district hosts [[Borsa Italiana|Italy's stock exchange]] ({{langx|it|Borsa Italiana}}), and the headquarters of national and international banks and companies. In terms of [[GDP]], Milan is the wealthiest city in Italy, it has the [[List of metropolitan areas in the European Union by GDP|third-largest economy]] among EU cities after Paris and Madrid and is the wealthiest among EU non-capital cities.<ref name="Gert">{{cite web |author=Gert-Jan Hospers|year=2002|title=Beyond the Blue Banana? Structural Change in Europe's Geo-Economy |work=42nd EUROPEAN CONGRESS of the Regional Science Association Young Scientist Session – Submission for EPAINOS Award 27–31 August 2002 – Dortmund, Germany |url = http://www.ersa.org/ersaconfs/ersa02/cd-rom/papers/210.pdf |access-date=27 September 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070929001624/http://www.ersa.org/ersaconfs/ersa02/cd-rom/papers/210.pdf |archive-date= 29 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="Brookings">{{cite web|url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106102340/http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 January 2013|title=Global city GDP 2013–2014|publisher=[[Brookings Institution]]|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/923781/european-cities-by-gdp/|title=Leading European cities by GDP in 2017/18|website=statista.com|access-date=2021-10-26}}</ref> Milan is viewed along with [[Turin]] as the southernmost part of the [[Blue Banana]] urban development corridor (also known as the "European Megalopolis"), and one of the [[Four Motors for Europe]].

Milan is one of Europe's most important tourist destinations, and Italy's second; with 6.05 million international arrivals as measured in 2014, it placed itself as the 24th most visited city in the world.<ref name="auto"/> According to a particular source, 56% of international visitors to Milan are from Europe, whilst 44% of the city's tourists are Italian, and 56% are from abroad.<ref name="slideshare.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.slideshare.net/mtmexperience/tourist-characteristics-and-the-perceived-image-of-milan|title=Tourist Characteristics and the Perceived Image of Milan|author=Master in Tourism Management, Università IULM|access-date=9 June 2015|date=2009-02-10}}</ref> The most important European Union markets are the [[United Kingdom]] (16%), [[Germany]] (9%) and [[France]] (6%).<ref name="slideshare.net"/> According to the same study, most of the visitors who come from the [[United States|USA]] to the city go on business matters, whilst [[China|Chinese]] and [[Japan]]ese tourists mainly take up the [[leisure]] segment.<ref name="slideshare1">{{cite web|url=http://www.slideshare.net/mtmexperience/tourist-characteristics-and-the-perceived-image-of-milan |title=Tourist Characteristics and the Perceived Image of Milan |publisher=Slideshare.net |date= 2009-02-10|access-date=2010-01-03}}</ref>

The city boasts several popular tourist attractions, such as the city's [[Milan Cathedral|Duomo]] and [[Piazza del Duomo, Milan|Piazza]], the [[La Scala|Teatro alla Scala]], the [[San Siro|San Siro Stadium]], the [[Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II|Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery]], the [[Sforza Castle]], the [[Pinacoteca di Brera]] and the [[Via Monte Napoleone]]. Most tourists visit sights such as [[Milan Cathedral]], the [[Sforza Castle]] and the [[La Scala|Teatro alla Scala]], however, other main sights such as the [[Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio]], the [[Navigli]] and the [[Brera Academy|Brera district]] are less visited and prove to be less popular.<ref name="slideshare1"/>

The city also has numerous hotels, including the ultra-luxurious [[Town House Galleria]], which is the world's first [[hotel rating|seven-star]] hotel, ranked officially by the [[Société Générale de Surveillance]], and one of [[The Leading Hotels of the World]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/travel/heaven-at-the-worlds-first-sevenstar-hotel-20090103-79de.html |title=Heaven at Milan's Town House Galleria hotel |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=7 January 2009 |access-date=21 January 2009 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=18 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118144723/http://www.theage.com.au/travel/heaven-at-the-worlds-first-sevenstar-hotel-20090103-79de.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The average stay for a tourist in the city is of 3.43 nights, whilst foreigners stay for longer periods of time, 77% of which stay for a 2-5 night average.<ref name="slideshare1"/> Of the 75% of visitors who stay in hotels, 4-star ones are the most popular (47%), whilst 5-stars, or less than 3-stars, represent 11% and 15% of the charts respectively.

=== Naples ===
{{further|Naples}}
[[File:Basilica reale pontificia di San Francesco di Paola Piazza del Plebiscito Napoli Neapel Italy Foto Wolfgang Pehlemann P1070687.jpg|center|thumb|500px|[[San Francesco di Paola, Naples]], in [[Piazza del Plebiscito]]]]
[[File:Teatro San Carlo large view.jpg|thumb|[[Teatro di San Carlo]], the oldest continuously active venue for opera in the world<ref name="TSC">[https://www.teatrosancarlo.it/en/pages/historical-highlights.html "The Theatre and its history"] on the Teatro di San Carlo's official website. (In English). Retrieved 23 December 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Teatro di San Carlo: View of facade |url=https://curate.nd.edu/show/np193774z5j |website=University of Notre Dame |access-date=11 August 2023}}</ref>]]

[[Naples]] is the regional capital of [[Campania]] and the third-largest city of [[Italy]], after [[Rome]] and [[Milan]]. Founded by Greeks in the [[1st millennium BC|first millennium]] BC, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world.<ref>{{cite book |author1=David J. Blackman |author2=Maria Costanza Lentini |title=Ricoveri per navi militari nei porti del Mediterraneo antico e medievale: atti del Workshop, Ravello, 4–5 novembre 2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GhB4VDYuJXsC&pg=PA99 |year=2010 |publisher=Edipuglia srl |isbn=978-88-7228-565-7 |page=99}}</ref> In the ninth century BC, a colony known as Parthenope ({{langx|grc|Παρθενόπη}}) was established on the [[Castel dell'Ovo|Island of Megaride]].<ref name="Greek Naples">{{cite web |url=http://www.naplesldm.com/Greek_Naples.php |title=Greek Naples |publisher=naplesldm.com |access-date=9 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321000245/http://www.naplesldm.com/Greek_Naples.php |archive-date=21 March 2017 }}</ref> In the 6th century BC, it was refounded as Neápolis.<ref>Daniela Giampaola, Francesca Longobardo (2000). ''Naples Greek and Roman''. Electa.</ref> The city was an important part of [[Magna Graecia]], played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society, and was a significant cultural centre under the Romans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naplesldm.com/virgil.php |title=Virgil in Naples |publisher=naplesldm.com |access-date=9 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402144355/http://www.naplesldm.com/virgil.php |archive-date=2 April 2017 }}</ref>

Its historic city centre is the largest in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/726|title=Historic Centre of Naples|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|website=whc.unesco.org|language=en|access-date=2016-12-09}}</ref> Naples is also near the famous volcano Vesuvius and the ruins of the ancient Roman towns of [[Pompeii]] and [[Ercolano]]. Before [[italian unification]] it was the capital of [[Kingdom of the Two Sicilies]] and the most important and populated city of Italy. Naples is well known for [[Neapolitan cuisine|cuisine]], especially for [[pizza]]. In the city there are many tourist attractions, such as the [[Royal Palace of Naples|Royal Palace]], the basilica of [[Santa Chiara, Naples|Santa Chiara]], the [[Gesù Nuovo|Gesù Nuovo (New Jesus)]] church, [[Castel dell'Ovo]], the [[Castel Nuovo]], the [[Castel Sant'Elmo]], the city's [[Naples Cathedral|Duomo]], the [[Teatro di San Carlo|Real Teatro di San Carlo]] (the oldest continuously active opera house in the world), the [[Palace of Capodimonte]], the [[Naples underground geothermal zone|Naples underground geothermal tunnels]], the [[Via Tribunali, Naples|Via Tribunali]], [[Spaccanapoli (street)|Spaccanapoli]] street, the ''[[Veiled Christ]]'' (one of the world's most remarkable sculptures), the various catacombs around the city (for example the [[Catacombs of San Gennaro]], or the [[Fontanelle cemetery]], or the [[Catacombs of Saint Gaudiosus]]), the [[Galleria Umberto I|Umberto I Gallery]] and the [[Via Toledo]] with its [[Toledo (Naples Metro)|metro]] considered one of the most beautiful of Europe.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/04/travel/europes-best-metro-stations/index.html|title=Europe's 12 most impressive metro stations – CNN.com |first1=Jessica Benavides |last1=Canepa |others=Additional reporting by CNN staff |website=CNN|access-date=2016-12-09|date=2014-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.charmenapoli.it/en/news/la-metro-toledo-di-napoli-e-la-piu-bella-deuropa-parola-di-cnn/|title=The metro Toledo of Naples is the most beautiful in Europe. Word of CNN|date=2014-02-18|newspaper=Charme|access-date=2016-12-09}}</ref>

The [[Naples National Archaeological Museum|Archaeological Museum]] of Naples is the most important in the world regarding Roman history and also includes Egyptian and Greek finds. It is the home of the [[University of Naples Federico II|Federico II]], the oldest public and secular university in the world, and of the [[Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale"|L'Orientale]], the oldest school of Sinology and Oriental Studies in Europe. Naples also boasts one of the most picturesque waterfront promenades and charming locations at [[Gaiola Island]] and Marechiaro. Close to Naples, there is a myriad of world-renowned tourist attractions such as the [[Amalfi Coast]], [[Capri]] island, [[Ischia]] island, [[Procida]] island, the picturesque city of [[Sorrento]], and the city of [[Salerno]].

=== Florence ===
{{further|Florence}}
[[File:Piazza Signoria - Firenze.jpg|thumb|center|400px|[[Piazza della Signoria]] in [[Florence]] with the [[Palazzo Vecchio]] and the [[Loggia dei Lanzi]]]]
[[File:Catedral, Florencia, Italia, 2022-09-19, DD 91.jpg|thumb|The [[Santa Maria del Fiore]] cathedral by [[Filippo Brunelleschi]], which has the largest brick dome in the world<ref name="www.tripleman.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brunelleschisdome.com/ |title=brunelleschi's dome - Brunelleschi's Dome |publisher=Brunelleschisdome.com |access-date=2010-03-25| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100416043408/http://www.brunelleschisdome.com/| archive-date= 16 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status = live}}</ref>]]

[[Florence]] is a city in Central-Northern [[Italy]] and the capital city of the [[Tuscany]] [[Regions of Italy|region]]. It is the most populated city in Tuscany, with 383,084 inhabitants in 2013, and over 1,520,000 in its metropolitan area.<ref>Bilancio demografico anno 2013, dati [http://demo.istat.it/ ISTAT]</ref>

Florence was a centre of [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[Europe]]an trade and finance and one of the wealthiest cities of that era.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://search.barnesandnoble.com/Economy-of-Renaissance-Florence/Richard-A-Goldthwaite/e/9780801889820 |title= Economy of Renaissance Florence, Richard A. Goldthwaite, Book – Barnes & Noble |publisher= Search.barnesandnoble.com |date= 23 April 2009 |access-date= 22 January 2010 |archive-date= 4 April 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100404082637/http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Economy-of-Renaissance-Florence/Richard-A-Goldthwaite/e/9780801889820 |url-status= dead }}</ref> It is considered by many academics<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/tag/firenze-del-rinascimento/ |title = Firenze-del-rinascimento: Documenti, foto e citazioni nell'Enciclopedia Treccani}}</ref> to have been the birthplace of the [[Renaissance]], becoming a major artistic, cultural, commercial, political, economic and financial center.<ref>Spencer Baynes, L.L.D., and [[William Robertson Smith|W. Robertson Smith]], L.L.D., ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Akron, Ohio: The Werner Company, 1907: p. 675</ref> During this time, Florence rose to a position of enormous influence in Italy, Europe, and beyond.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Florence {{!}} History, Geography, & Culture|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Florence|access-date=2021-11-03|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> Its turbulent political history includes periods of rule by the powerful [[House of Medici|Medici]] family and numerous religious and republican revolutions.<ref>{{cite book |last= Brucker|first= Gene A. |title= Renaissance Florence |url= https://archive.org/details/renaissanceflore00bruc_0|url-access= registration|year= 1969 |publisher= Wiley |location= New York |isbn= 978-0520046955|page= [https://archive.org/details/renaissanceflore00bruc_0/page/23 23]}}</ref> From 1865 to 1871 the city served as the capital of the [[Kingdom of Italy]] (established in 1861). The [[Florentine dialect]] forms the base of [[Italian language|Standard Italian]] and it became the language of culture throughout Italy<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/storia-della-lingua_(Enciclopedia-dell'Italiano)/ |title= storia della lingua in 'Enciclopedia dell'Italiano' |publisher= Treccani.it|access-date= 28 October 2017}}</ref> due to the prestige of the masterpieces by [[Dante Alighieri]], [[Petrarch]], [[Giovanni Boccaccio]], [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] and [[Francesco Guicciardini]].

The city attracts millions of tourists each year, and UNESCO declared the [[Historic Centre of Florence]] a [[World Heritage Site]] in 1982. The city is noted for its culture, [[Italian Renaissance art|Renaissance art and architecture]] and monuments.<ref name="britannica.com">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Britannica Concise Encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/210642/Florence# |title=Florence (Italy) |publisher=Britannica.com |access-date=22 January 2010}}</ref> The city also contains numerous museums and art galleries, such as the [[Uffizi Gallery]] and the [[Palazzo Pitti]], and still exerts an influence in the fields of art, culture and politics.<ref name="time.com">{{cite magazine|url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,822094,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101125213010/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,822094,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 25 November 2010 |title= FASHION: Italy's Renaissance |magazine= TIME |date= 4 February 1952 |access-date= 9 October 2013}}</ref> Due to Florence's artistic and architectural heritage, ''[[Forbes]]'' has ranked it as the most beautiful city in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.forbes.com/2010/01/22/paris-london-travel-lifestyle-travel-tourism-new-york-top-ten-cities.html |title= World's Most Beautiful Cities |author= Tim Kiladze |date= 22 January 2010 |work= Forbes |access-date= 12 April 2011}}</ref>

Florence plays an important role in [[Italian fashion]],<ref name="time.com"/> and is ranked in the top 15 [[fashion capital]]s of the world by [[Global Language Monitor]];<ref name="languagemonitor">{{cite web|url= http://www.languagemonitor.com/fashion-capitals/paris-towers-over-world-of-fashion-as-top-global-fashion-capital-for-2015/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161212133429/http://www.languagemonitor.com/fashion-capitals/paris-towers-over-world-of-fashion-as-top-global-fashion-capital-for-2015/|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 12 December 2016|title= Paris Towers Over World of Fashion as Top Global Fashion Capital for 2015 |publisher= Languagemonitor.com|access-date= 20 January 2016|date= 2017-07-06}}</ref> furthermore, it is a major national economic centre,<ref name="time.com"/> as well as a tourist and industrial hub. It is the 4th richest Italian city.<ref>{{cite web
|url= https://initalia.virgilio.it/quali-sono-le-citta-piu-ricche-ditalia-ecco-le-prime-5-5055
|title= Quali sono le Città più ricche d'Italia?
|publisher= Virgilio
|access-date= 26 August 2021
}}</ref>

=== Venice ===
{{further|Venice|List of palaces in Venice}}
[[File:Panorama of Canal Grande and Ponte di Rialto, Venice - September 2017.jpg|center|thumb|400x400px|[[Venice]], with the [[Rialto Bridge]] in the background]]
[[File:Venezia Basilica di San Marco Fassade 2.jpg|thumb|[[St Mark's Basilica]] in [[Venice]], one of the best known examples of [[Italo-Byzantine]] architecture<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/WAI/eng/basilica/architettura/interne/fasi_costrutt.bsm|title =Basilica di San Marco|access-date =10 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150305102304/http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/WAI/eng/basilica/architettura/interne/fasi_costrutt.bsm|archive-date =5 March 2015}}</ref>]]

[[Venice]] is a city in northeastern [[Italy]] and the capital of the [[Veneto]] [[Regions of Italy|region]]. It is built on a group of 118&nbsp;small islands<ref name="UNESCO Venice">{{cite web |title=Venice and its Lagoon |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/394 |website=[[UNESCO]] |access-date=1 April 2019}}</ref> that are separated by canals and linked by over 400&nbsp;bridges.<ref name="UNESCO Venice" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://venicegondola.com/en/the-bridges-of-venice-what-are-the-most-famous-bridges-list-bridges-in-venice/ |title=The Bridges of Venice – What are the most Famous bridges? |website=venicegondola.com |access-date=28 December 2021 |archive-date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115031043/http://venicegondola.com/en/the-bridges-of-venice-what-are-the-most-famous-bridges-list-bridges-in-venice/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The islands are in the shallow [[Venetian Lagoon]], an enclosed bay lying between the mouths of the [[Po River|Po]] and the [[Piave River|Piave]] rivers (more exactly between the [[Brenta (river)|Brenta]] and the [[Sile (river)|Sile]]). In 2020, 258,685&nbsp;people resided in the [[Comune]] di Venezia, of whom around 55,000 live in the historical city of Venice (''centro storico''). Together with [[Padua, Italy|Padua]] and [[Treviso, Italy|Treviso]], the city is included in the [[Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area]] (PATREVE), which is considered a statistical metropolitan area, with a total population of 2.6&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.univiu.org/rassegna_docs/corrieredellasera_06032011_micelli.pdf |title=Patreve, l'attuale governance non-funziona |date=6 March 2011 |publisher=Corriere Della Sera |access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref>

The name is derived from the ancient [[Adriatic Veneti|Veneti]] people who inhabited the region by the 10th&nbsp;century&nbsp;BC.<ref name="urlOnline Etymology Dictionary">{{cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php |title=Online Etymology Dictionary |access-date=11 June 2010 |archive-date=5 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205085150/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Local Etymology: A derivative dictionary of geographical names |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_I2BulY4WvsYC |author=Richard Stephen Charnock |publisher=Houlston and Wright |year=1859 |page= [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_I2BulY4WvsYC/page/n243 288]}}</ref> The city was historically the capital of the [[Republic of Venice]] for over a millennium, from 697 to 1797. It was a major financial and maritime power during the [[Middle Ages]] and [[Renaissance]], and a [[staging area]] for the [[Crusades]] and the [[Battle of Lepanto (1571)|Battle of Lepanto]], as well as an important centre of commerce—especially silk, grain, and [[spice trade|spice]], and of art from the 13th century to the end of the 17th. The [[city-state]] of Venice is considered to have been the first real international financial centre, emerging in the 9th century and reaching its greatest prominence in the 14th&nbsp;century.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yor4DAAAQBAJ |title=Finance Masters: A brief history of international financial centres in the last millennium |last=Coispeau |first=Olivier |date=10 August 2016 |publisher=World Scientific |isbn=9789813108844 |language=en }}</ref> This made Venice a wealthy city throughout most of its history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Blair/Courses/MUSL242/f98/venice.htm |title=Venetian Music of the Renaissance |publisher=Vanderbilt.edu |date=11 October 1998 |access-date=22 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614024356/http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Blair/Courses/MUSL242/f98/venice.htm |archive-date=14 June 2009}}</ref> After the [[Napoleonic Wars]] and the [[Congress of Vienna]], the Republic was annexed by the [[Austrian Empire]], until it became part of the [[Kingdom of Italy]] in 1866, following a referendum held as a result of the [[Third Italian War of Independence]].

Venice has been known as "La Dominante", "La Serenissima", "Queen of the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]]", "City of Water", "City of Masks", "City of Bridges", "The Floating City", and "City of Canals". The lagoon and a part of the city are listed as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Parts of Venice are renowned for the beauty of their settings, their [[architecture]], and artwork.<ref name="UNESCO Venice" /> Venice is known for several important artistic movements—especially during the [[Italian Renaissance|Renaissance period]]—and has played an important role in the history of instrumental and operatic music, and is the birthplace of [[Baroque]] composers [[Tomaso Albinoni]] and [[Antonio Vivaldi]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Chambers|first=David |title=Venice: A documentary history |year=1992 |publisher=Oxford |location=England |isbn=0-8020-8424-9 |page=78}}</ref>

Although the city is facing some challenges (including an excessive number of tourists and problems caused by pollution, tide peaks and cruise ships sailing too close to buildings),<ref name="National Geographic">{{cite magazine |last1=Worrall |first1=Simon |title=Tourists could destroy Venice – If floods don't first |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/10/if-venice-dies-salvatore-settis-tourism-flood/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018220249/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/10/if-venice-dies-salvatore-settis-tourism-flood/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 October 2016 |magazine=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] |access-date=3 September 2017 |language=en |date=16 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Buckley |first1=Jonathan |title=When will Venice sink? You asked Google – Here's the answer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/02/when-will-venice-sink-google |access-date=3 September 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/venice-cruise-ship-ban-55-tonnes-marghera-port-where-is-it-italy-a8044026.html |title=Venice just banned mega cruise ships from sailing through the city |date=8 November 2017 |newspaper=The Independent |location=UK}}</ref> Venice remains a very popular tourist destination, a major cultural centre, and has been ranked many times the most beautiful city in the world.<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto2"/> It has been described by the ''[[The Times|Times Online]]'' as one of Europe's most romantic cities<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/breaks/article1936951.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507015418/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/breaks/article1936951.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 May 2009 | work=The Times | location=London | title=Europes most romantic city breaks | date=17 June 2007 | access-date=27 May 2010 | first1=Stephen | last1=Bleach | first2=Brian | last2=Schofield | first3=Vincent | last3=Crump}}</ref> and by ''[[The New York Times]]'' as "undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man".<ref>{{cite news|last=Barzini |first=Luigi |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/30/books/the-most-beautiful-city-in-the-world.html |title=The Most Beautiful and Wonderful City in the World|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=30 May 1982}}</ref>

=== Other cities ===
[[File:Pisa Duomo.jpg|thumb|The [[Duomo di Pisa|Duomo]] and the [[Leaning Tower of Pisa]]]]
[[File:Genova, palazzo reale, galleria degli specchi 04.JPG|thumb|The Mirror Gallery of the [[Palazzo Reale (Genoa)|Royal Palace of Genoa]]]]
* [[Palermo]]—ancient capital of the [[Kingdom of Sicily]] and of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] under [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]]. It is noted for its history, gastronomy and architecture; the particularity of the city (such as the rest of [[Sicily]]) is that is a meeting point of [[Ancient Greeks|Greek]], [[Ancient Romans|Roman]], [[Arabs|Arabian]], [[Normans|Norman]] and [[Aragon]]ian cultures. 
* [[Bologna]]—home of the [[University of Bologna|first university in the western world]]. This city has a rich history, culture, and technology. Bologna is well known for its cuisine.
* [[Bari]]—is well known as a port and university city as well as the city of [[Saint Nicholas]]. Capital of [[Apulia]] and second most important economic centre of [[Southern Italy]] after Naples. The city has a rich culture and history. 
* [[Genoa]] (''Genova'')— the [[Republic of Genoa]] was one of the most important maritime republics of the Middle Ages. Very wealthy and diverse city. Its port brings in tourism and trade, along with art and architecture. Genoa is the birthplace of [[Christopher Columbus]] and the originator of [[jeans]].
* [[Pisa]]—the [[Republic of Pisa]] was one of the medieval maritime republics, and the city has many medieval palaces and squares. Home to the unmistakable image of the [[Leaning Tower of Pisa]]. A very touristy city. Famous too for the [[Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa]].
* [[Turin]] (''Torino'')—the first capital of Italy, after being the capital of [[Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia]], which had [[Unification of Italy|promoted national reunification]]. The city has a rich culture and history. Home of the [[FIAT]], the most important industry in Italy, Turin is a well-known industrial city, based on the aerospace industry and, of course, the automobile industry. Home of the [[2006 Winter Olympics]].
* [[Verona]]—it is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy because of its artistic heritage and several annual fairs and shows as well as the [[Opera|opera season]] in the [[Verona Arena|Arena]], an ancient [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] [[amphitheatre]].
* [[Padua]] (''Padova'')—it is picturesque, with a dense network of [[Arcade (Architecture)|arcaded]] streets opening into large communal ''piazze'', and many bridges crossing the various branches of the [[Bacchiglione]], which once surrounded the ancient walls like a [[moat]].

==Other popular destinations==
[[File:Mantova - Piazza Sordello.jpg|thumb|[[Mantua]], [[Lombardy]]]]
Apart from [[Rome]], [[Milan]], [[Naples]], [[Venice]], and [[Florence]] are the top destinations for tourism in Italy. Other major tourist locations include [[Turin]], [[Verona]], [[Bari]], [[Padua]], [[Bologna]], [[Mantua]], [[Messina]], [[Perugia]], [[Palermo]], [[Genoa]], [[Sicily]], [[Sardinia]], and [[Salento]].

Two factors in each of these locations are history and geography. The [[Roman Empire]], [[Italy in the Middle Ages|Middle Ages]], [[Italian Renaissance|Renaissance]] and the following centuries of the [[history of Italy]] have left many cultural artefacts that attract tourists.<ref name="studiare"/> Winter and summer tourism are present in many locations in the [[Alps]] and the [[Apennines]],<ref name="alloggitaly"/> while seaside tourism is widespread in coastal locations along the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref name="turismo-oggi"/>

Italy is home to [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe#Italy|60]] [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s, more than any other country, including many entire cities such as [[Verona]], [[Siena]], [[Vicenza]], [[Ferrara]], [[San Gimignano]], [[Urbino]], [[Matera]], [[Pompei]], [[Noto]] and [[Syracuse, Sicily|Siracusa]]. [[Ravenna]] hosts an unprecedented eight different internationally recognized sites.

== Accommodation capacity in Italy ==
[[File:Stresa Grand Hôtel sul Lago Maggiore.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées]], which is located in front of the [[Borromean Islands]], hence the name of the hotel, on the shores of [[Lake Maggiore]]]]
In Italy, there is a broad variety of [[hotel]]s, going from 1-5 stars. According to [[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]], in 2017, there were 32,988 hotels with 1,133,452 rooms and 2,239,446 beds.<ref name="hotel">{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/files//2019/12/C19.pdf|title=Turismo|access-date=2 April 2022|language=it|page=3}}</ref> As far as extra-hotel facilities (campsites, tourist villages, accommodations for rent, agritourism, etc.) are concerned, in 2017, there are 171,915 with 2,798,352 beds.<ref name="hotel"/> The tourist flow to coastal resorts is 53 percent; the best equipped cities <ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonaiti |first=Dalma |date=2024-01-30 |title=Turismo in Italia, quali città registrano più presenze? |url=https://www.newsby.it/lifestyle/viaggi/turismo-in-italia-quali-citta-registrano-piu-presenze/ |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Newsby |language=it-IT}}</ref> are [[Grosseto]] for [[Agriturismo|farmhouses]] (217), [[Vieste]] for campsites and tourist villages (84) and [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]] for mountain huts (20).<ref name="repubblica"/><ref name="movimento"/>

The number of hotels, according to their rating, in 2017, went like this:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/files//2019/12/C19.pdf|title=Turismo|access-date=2 April 2022|language=it|page=20}}</ref>
* ''7-star hotels'': 2 (the [[Town House Galleria]] located in Milan and Aman Canal Grande in Venice).
* ''5-star hotels'' and ''4-star hotels'': 6,335 with 859,621 beds.
* ''3-star hotels'': 18,116 with 1,133,452 beds.
* ''2-star hotels'' and ''1-star hotels'': 8,537 with 246,373 beds.

== See also ==
{{portal|Economy|Italy}}
* [[Economy of Italy]]
* [[ENIT]]
* [[Grand Tour]]
* [[List of World Heritage Sites in Italy]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikivoyage|Italy}}
{{commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.enit.it/en.html}} ENIT: Italian Government Tourist Board
* {{official website|http://www.italia.it/en/home.html}} Italia.it: Italian Tourism Official Website

{{Italy topics}}
{{Economy of Italy}}
{{Tourism in Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tourism in Italy}}
[[Category:Tourism in Italy| ]]
[[Category:Tourism in Europe by country|Italy]]